Prince of Egypt
Prince of Egypt
Sally from the gift shop is now once again chief Christmas Elf, dressed not in green tights but in a permanent light dusting of glitter.
The endless making of garlands is on to the last stage except for one: this had originally been measured at 40 meters long but, with a change of plan with the tearoom and shopping marquees, it turns out that is should be 80 metres instead. A slight difference but one which I think means there are now nearly 500 metres of garland, each of which is highlighted with different decoration themes.
This year, Sally and her team have rivalled the TV programme “Blue Peter”. I used to watch this as a child and it encouraged its viewers to take up various arts and crafts, often using discarded household items. I particularly remember turning empty loo rolls into endless pen pots. The loo paper would be carefully unfurled and laid flat in order to get to the now empty loo roll which was rather annoying for our mother. In addition, there was a rota of pets on the TV show. I can remember very clearly a dog called Shep, a garden with goldfish and the programme also highlighted the main events of the year including of course, Christmas.
I think Highclere can tick many of the above parts of the programme (goldfish excepting) but the arts and craft ingenuity of Sally and her team may not be so apparent to the casual eye.
This Christmas is going to be a little different. Given that this year is the centenary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter plus my book of course, Highclere is going to be decorated in the colours and themes from Ancient Egypt.
The woven wicker reindeer were in a parlous state, so Sally and Paul the gardener took off the legs, sat them flat, reattached the legs and sprayed them entirely black so that they now resemble the ancient Egyptian jackal god Anubis (we think). Luis and the banqueting team will have two gold thrones and an oasis in the afternoon tea marquee. The Christmas trees inside and out will reflect the colours of Egypt, the blues and golds with all the decorations inspired by the scarabs, lotus flowers and beetles which are associated with that country.
Palm leaves and beetles have been sprayed gold and holly and ivy has been abandoned. There are traditional Christmas baubles but they are interspersed with other flora and fauna in bronzes, golds and turquoises. Most of the individual elements have now been completed but there will be a frantic week of activity getting the trees in place, the floristry up and everything fitted together. Hopefully it will indeed be the like the “wonderful things” discovered in the tomb.
Egypt, whether ancient or modern, never becomes as cold, dark and black in the winter months as our more northern parts of the world but nevertheless the lights of Christmas and cosy celebrations are always most welcome. Like every religion it is about light and hope and of course Egypt was known as the Land of Light.
Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter opened a window into an extraordinary golden world, a complete tomb with all the details that allow us to interpret and draw out stories about that time and the character of the golden boy king, Tutankhamun. The Earl loved the life he found in Egypt and every year he looked forward to living there for a few months away from the darker climate here. His fascination with archaeology and his partnership with Howard Carter had the ultimate success with this extraordinary find.
And, just like Sally, whenever I venture into the industrious tent where she is weaving together a Christmas which is somewhere between The Prince of Egypt and The Mummy Returns, I too leave with a dusting of glitter from her wonderful things.
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78 Comments
Greetings Lady Carnarvon,
What a fascinating "different Christmas decor" is being set up for Highclere Castle this year. Certainly an Honor to the 5th Earl and Mr. Carter. Hope you and your families and friends and all who tour there during the coming Holiday Season appreciate the connection, creativity and work put in by you and your staff.
Lady Carnarvon,
Here’s to a dusting of gold Christmas spirit for you and your family! Your imaginative Gift Shop Chief Sally surely has caught the Egyptian magic of the tombs and brought to life Highclere’s different and delightful approach to the magical season. Thank you for sharing a look we all wish we could see in person. May the spirit of love and giving be with you and yours this Season.
Martha G
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
It all sounds so amazing. Christmas decorations, food and children make for a splendid season. I am sure Sally and her team will created something the past Earl would love. Yes "wonderful things" will be enjoyed by all especially the Earl and yourself. Please post pictures.
Susan Kearsey
Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I WISH I could come & see your amazing Christmas Decorations this year!
I visited King Tut's Tomb in the Valley of the Kings back in 2006 & it was breathtakingly beautiful - I had a little chat with him (I was alone in the Tomb) & I left feeling happy & at peace.....I later learned that his mummified body had been returned to his Tomb & that he was actually THERE!! I hope he enjoyed our chat as much as I did....
Happy Halloween my dear Lady Carnarvon, & I wish you & everyone at Highclere a very Happy Christmas, love
Caroline xxx
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I’m glad you mentioned Tutankhamun as I just watched a BBC documentary on the 5th Earl and Howard Carter, and of course your husband talking about what happened in Egypt. Truly amazing story and how amazing to find such amazing treasures. Sad too for Howard who lost such a good friend.
Good luck with your amazing book and celebrations!
Beatrice
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of prince of Egypt did you and lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend l lovely to visit highcelere castle and lam fan of Downton abbey
Thank you for send me your email
How wonderful that Sally can still feel childlike wonder and creativity of Christmas. Everything must truly be a wonder to behold. How I envy her enthusiasm. You have just as great a treasure in her as the finding of Tutankhamen.
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of prince of Egypt and do you have any of your book out for Christmas and lovely to visit highcelere castle
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of prince of Egypt and did you and lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend and lovely to visit highcelere castle and l am fan of Downton abbey calendars
Exciting Time of the year.. Made even more so by the fact that it is 100th anniversary of the finding of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Looking forward to reading your book!
How wonderful it sounds and what fun for Sally and the "elves" to be inspired, transforming the castle into an exotic Egyptian landscape for Christmas in this special Tutankhamun year. I look forward to more pictures!
I will keep everyone updated with Christmas festivities near the time!
Thank you!
My new book The Earl and The Pharaoh release date was last week in the UK
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much to replying to my comments. You are such a busy person who takes time to post comments. It is a wonderful way to start my week and to make me feel a little special.
Susan Kearsey
Lady Carnarvon thank for beautiful pictures and adding to my education.
fondly Jenny
Just got back from my amazing 10 day trip to Egypt!! Amazing, overwhelming and once in a lifetime adventure! I said a quick hi to Lord Carnarvon at Tuts Tomb!!
We had a once in a lifetime tour on September 27th of Highclere! What a wonderful staff and all the stories of the Castle and the Museum. Louie was such a wonderful gentlemen to my husband and me with our lunch in the tearoom. I can highly recommend the tour to anyone going over to London! Make the time to see it!
I will pass on your comments to Luis - thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon, Oh how wish I could visit what I know will be an amazing Christmas at Highclere.
I too visited Tutankhamuns tomb in the valley of the kings in 2002 also the breathtaking museum with the contents of the tomb. Just how did they get all that beautiful treasure in the tomb?
I'm sure your Christmas decorations will be as equally awesome.
Kindest regards. Lorraine
Lady Carnarvon, who presented Blue Peter when you watched it in your youth, and who among them was your favourite and why? Best wishes, Peter
Having a minor in Anthropology and Archaeology, and being a teacher of Ancient Civilizations, I love all things Egyptian. I was lucky enough to see the "Treasures of Tutankhamun" twice when the exhibit toured the US in 1977, the 55th anniversary of the discovery, once in Seattle and once in San Francisco. The Seattle Art Museum reconfigured the museum to look like the four chambers of Tut's tomb, placing the 55 items in the exhibit in the relative position to the real tomb. The finale was walking down a dark corridor, turning left and seeing that stunning gold mask with a single spotlight shining upon it. I actually gasped! After my eyes adjusted to the dark, I noticed four lecterns, one in each corner, with a guard behind each. The exhibit toured many of the US's major cities but San Francisco was left off the list. Turns out the deYoung Museum had a black market mummy in its collection. One it was returned, the exhibit was allowed to tour there. Now on the 100th anniversary, exhibits are being organized again, a high tech one sponsored by National Geographic and another entitled, "Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs." I will be seeing both. Archaeology Magazine's fall edition features a 12 page article on Tut's family secrets. So once again "Tutmania" strikes anew. Your holiday exhibit will fit in perfectly with this fervor. How wonderful to have your family associated with this fabulous discovery!
Thank you again for your wonderful glimpses into life at Highclere. Your thoughts are especially timely since I just returned from eight days in Egypt on Oct. 15th where I did get to see the King Tut exhibit in the old National Museum (which thankfully they had not yet moved to the new one which has not yet opened) and visit the Tomb of King Tut, complete with his mummy in the Valley of the Kings. I did feel a little sorry for him (not to cast any aspersions about the great find by Carter and Lord Canarvan) as, there he was, for thousands of years, snug in his gold casings, but now his mummy is on display in a glass case being gawked at by thousands of tourists. However, he was fortunate to have escaped the tomb raiders and make it untouched for so many years until his treasures were discovered and shared with the world.
I also had the chance to climb into the burial chamber of the Great Pyramid, see Karnak Temple at night, cruise on the Nile, and fly in a hot air balloon over the Valley of Kings. I can also now understand that why people over the centuries, have fallen in love with the mystery that is Egypt. What a fitting and fun theme for Highclere Christmas.
Lady Carnarvon, Highclere Castle is going to sparkle this year. You and your team really know how to do it up right. What super ideas. Cheryl.
I was just there in October, and I envy that you had him all to yourself. It was a great trip, but like everything post Covid, the Valley of the Kings and every other attraction, was packed. It must have been wonderful to be there without crowds. It was still a wonderful trip, but less people would have made it better.
I remember John Noakes and Shep the dog
Lady Carnarvon, it sounds so joyous around Highclere. I realize there is a lot going on and everyone is busy but it does sound like such fun.
Enjoy,
Pam
Lady Carnarvon, it sounds so joyous around Highclere. I realize there is a lot going on and everyone is busy but it does sound like such fun.
Enjoy decorating,
Pam
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Greetings from Windermere. I have just driven home by the Lake and the Christmas lights have appeared in Bowness. Looking very cheery and lovely. This year the lights and exotic Christmas decorations of Highclere beckon as my sister and I are coming to your champagne and canapés on December 16.
The wonderful description you have posted today gives us much to look forward to. Thank you Sally, assorted elves and all Team Highclere!
Best wishes to all
June Roberts
Thank you
I had not realized such an important anniversary was upon us. Thank you for calling attention to it! The decorations sound just beautiful, can’t wait to see photos of them all in place.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I've never been to Egypt, but the fascination for all things Egyptian and Tutankhamun is always there, and thanks only to the dogged determination of the 5th Earl and Carter to find him. We have much to be thankful for, enriching our lives with the events that took place 100 years ago. You all work so hard, and with some ingenuity too, continuing to enrich our lives with your history and entertainment. The gift shop is amazing! I am waiting to buy your book next year, hopefully a signed copy if I am truly lucky.
Jane
When will your book be available in USA book stores?
Sandie Carpenter Whitefish Montana USA
What an amazing idea to have the theme of Tut's gold and ancient Egyptian decor for your Christmas festivities. So glad that there will be honor given to the very important discovery back in 1922 by Howard Carter and supported by the 5th Earl. I so enjoyed your exhibit "in the servants area" of Highclere, having been lucky enough to see the real Tomb and the Valley of the Kings in 1970...without crowds of tourists in those days. Waiting for Amazon to deliver the "The Earl and the Pharaoh", before Christmas!
We all trust in Mrs. Sally's brilliant ideas and creative and powerful ability! Santa Claus will surely be envious !
The creativity of you and your staff is so much fun to read about, thank you! I have had a number of “Egypt obsessions” throughout the years; going to lectures, working out hieroglyphs, studying the catalogs of two Egyptian exhibitions and giving tours at the Kimbell, which included other finds of Howard Carter - all fascinating. Have you seen the Phillip Glass opera “Tutankhamen” staged by the New York Met two years ago? Had to see and hear it twice! Now to find my scarab bracelet, a jewelry fad when I was in high school, to wear and celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of the tomb!
Lady Carnarvon,
Happy centenary!
I was wondering if you exchange any of your artifacts with Egypt.
Do they send you items to display?
Your Prince of Egypt entry is a preview into the exciting holiday season as Pharaoh Tut’s 100th anniversary of his discovery is coming up! It will be a privilege to be in Egypt soon to see the most amazing discovery by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter. I will surely be thinking of you and Lord Carnarvon as we sail. I hope the Viking Osiris has a copy of your book. I pre-ordered it, but I won’t be receiving it until after our cruise. It’s my Christmas present to myself.
Merci Lady Carnavon pour ces partages et ces moments précieux que vous savez si bien nous présenter. Avec tout notre respect.
Hi again.
Follow-up to my earlier reply Your book will be released in the United States on Tuesday 6th December the day I will be receiving it from Amazon. (that was notice I received from Amazon)Looking forward to it.
Sally deserves the gold Blue Peter badge!
Love how the reindeer have been reconfigured as Anubis. Very creative—plus the photo of them made me giggle. So cute!
How wonderful to celebrate such an amazing event and in the actual house of Lord Carnavon.
Also it has inspired me to put some different kinds of Christmas decorations although some traditional ones will remain for the small grandchildren.
Looking forward to reading your new book, I love anything you have written your talent to transport people to other worlds is truly a gift, thank you.
Looking forward to more pictures as Christmas is coming and seems to be galloping rather then taking a gentle stroll. Enjoy watching Sally and the wreath warriors, such a talent to behold I'm sure.
Sticky back plastic from Blue Peter
I think so!!! She will be thrilled..
Thank you very much!
Merci - thank you
thank you very much
we share a story ...
I do hope so..
I gather from December 10
Am always happy to send out signed bookplates especially if you wish for several
Essential, Nanny
thank you so much
Thank you!
I have not seen the opera - yet!
Thank you - you will get Xmas updates!
It is a bit of a spectacular idea - I hope!
Thank you - Highclere tells many stories
how amazing..
It is an extraordinary honour
I had to make the deadline with my book! this was it...
It is wonderful to bring these colours into 'Christmas' and brighten up the old with the new! Love it. Maybe different colours each year...
Your Prince of Egypt theme sounded so lovely that I immediately went to look at dates available to see it. Disappointed that no dates were available when I was going to be there. I so enjoyed visiting Highclere at Christmas in the past. Please send more photos of the displays!!
Bonjour,
Nous venons de voir à la télévision, un documentaire passionnant sur cette découverte du 5éme Comte de Carnavon et Howard Carter. cela m'a permis de mieux comprendre le rapprochement entre Toutenkamon et Highclere.
Bien qu'ayant déjà lu votre précédent billet à ce sujet, ce documentaire a rajouté encore plus de précisions.
Je vous remercie de tout ces billets si intéressants.
Bonne journée
Merci
You have such a wonderful way with words.
Just ordered my copy of The Earl and the Pharaoh, Lady Carnarvon! I had not realized this year marks 100 years since the discovery, and I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of your book -- I am a history buff. Egypt is on my bucket list, but until I can get there I will visit vicariously through your writing and photos.
My best to Sally, your staff, the Earl, and yourself,
Amy
Thank you
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
GOOD MORNING FROM RIO CLARO - BRAZIL,
MILADY,
TODAY, I CONGRATULATE THE FAMILY OF COUNTS OF CARNARVON AND THE DESCENDANTS OF HOWARD CARTER, FOR 100 YEARS COMPLETED, SUCH A SPLENDID DISCOVERY : THE FINDING OF THE TOMB OF PHARAOH TUTANKAMON .
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO - SP
BRAZIL
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for your Monday blog and for again sharing the centennial anniversary story of The Earl and Mr. Carter in discovering King Tut's tomb.
You are blessed to have such creative support staff. Kudos to Sally, Paul, and everyone else who will assist in making Highclere Castle stand out for the upcoming holidays! I look forward to receiving an update and seeing the end result pictures of your unique decorating endeavors.
Until next week, may your upcoming weekend be productive.
Perpetua Crawford
I am looking forward to watching your latest interview with Anne Diamond. You are the perfect pair.
There was a recent BBC documentary on king Tut and the 5th Earl. This article you wrote adds a personal touch and fills in the blanks that the TV show didn't have. Very good job and have Happy Holidays.
Dear Lady Carnarvon!
What a Great idea to decorate Highclere with Egypt colors! I am sure it Will be so beautiful.
It is time to start making everything ready for Christmas and although there is so much to do, I love this time of The year! The first task is to clean all The crystals and that is what I just have done!
Please have a Great month of November!
Swedish greetings from Lena
I love the theme…we just got back from Egypt which was amazing for its arts, architecture and sense of history but disappointing in its human rights policies. Now, I am looking through my Christmas Books for ideas and Christmas At Highclere is one of my new favorites!
Yay! I just received word that my copy of The Earl and the Pharaoh has been delivered, and is waiting for me on my front porch!
Now, is there any way we can get a signed book plate from you? How would I go about that? It would make the book that much more special for me. (I'm afraid I might have to fight my 91-year-old father to read it first, though!)
Looking forward to reading it!
ASP
Our post is so useless - shall I scan one to you? You could cut and paste!!!!
You are the only people that have recognized such an event. I have been telling EVERYONE in my town that this should be recognized.
I am wearing my Egyptian jewelry, and carrying my Egyptian themed handbags in honor of such an important discovery of "wonderful things"!
Thank you Sally, I would love to a panoramic view of your hard work!
And thank you, thank you Lady Carnarvon!