Downton Abbey Tea

Downton Abbey's real countess charms Houstonians at Highclere Tea with stories of famous castle

Downton Abbey's days are numbered, but life at Highclere Castle continues.

News surfaced this week that the upcoming season for the popular PBS series will be the last. But the mistress of the castle where the beloved series is set says that public tours are sold out for the next two years and a whole host of activities are planned to satisfy the cravings of fans.

Lady Fiona Carnarvon recently hopped over the pond for her first visit to Houston, where she regaled more than 300 guests at a Highclere Tea at the St. Regis Hotel with stories of the castle's fabled history. Speaking without notes for more than an hour, the Countess of Carnarvon traced the lineage of her husband's family — she's the wife of George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon — and the glorious history of the estate where the series is filmed.

Lynn Wyatt hosted the tea, which raised more than $100,000 for the Houston Public Media Foundation.

She also easily mingled with guests, many dressed in hats and pearls, during the tea, which featured smoked salmon with caper egg salad finger sandwiches, cucumber-watercress tea sandwiches with Boursin cheese, scones and Devonshire cream, along with several varieties of tea and flutes of bubbly Processco. Lynn Wyatt hosted the tea, which raised more than $100,000 for the Houston Public Media Foundation.

Seen in the crowd: Houston Public Media executive director and general manager Lisa Shumate, Carol and Mike Linn, Phoebe Tudor, Anne Mendelsohn, Linda McReynolds, Rose Cullen, Bill Stubbs, Greggory Burk, Robin Angley, Debra Nash, Denise Taylor, Ernie Manouse, host of the popular locally-produced show, Manor of Speaking, that comes on right after each episode of Downton Abbey, and the show's regular guests Helen Mann and St. John Flynn.

Neiman Marcus general manager Bob Devlin received kudos, along with the store's Liz Zaruba, Kathy Kates, Bruno Brady and Stacey Swift, for underwriting the event.

Roz Pactor, from left, M.A. Shute and Bill Stubbs.

Photo by John R. Lewis

Roz Pactor, from left, M.A. Shute and Bill Stubbs.

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Cupid approved

Houston baseball legend Roger Clemens pitches in at 15th Sweetheart Tea

Mission of Yahweh Houston Sweetheart Tea 2026

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Deborah Duncan, Roger Clemens, and Brittany Hebert Franklin.

Red heart-shaped balloons hovered overhead, champagne flutes clinked, and racks of designer finery were on display.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Deborah Duncan, Roger Clemens, and Brittany Hebert Franklin.

Cupid would certainly have approved of the 15th annual Houston Sweetheart Tea benefiting the Mission of Yahweh. What began as a simple, heartfelt thank-you among friends has over the years blossomed into a pink-and-red parade of do-gooders.

Hosts Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts, and Alicia Smith welcomed 100 guests who took the sweetheart attire seriously. After a warm greeting from Roberts, vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue and last year’s honoree, Heidi Turney, shared Saks’ pride in sponsoring the fête for much of its 15-year run.

Co-host and KHOU-TV Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan offered a moving snapshot of the Mission of Yahweh, describing its commitment to sheltering and rehabilitating homeless women and children into self-sufficient futures. She then introduced new development director Marilu Garza, who announced the upcoming Leaders and Legends Gala slated for September.

The 2026 Houston Sweethearts were introduced, which included Farida Abjani, Debbie and Roger Clemens, Caroline Esses, Brittney Herbert Franklin, Jordan Seff, and Michelle Verbois Wasaff. Though Debbie was in Florida welcoming a grandbaby, Roger brought down the house with remarks that sparked applause and laughter.

Guests lingered over champagne and bites from 5115 Restaurant, savoring the fellowship as much as the fare.

Spotted in sweet style were Sidney Faust, Elsie Eckert, Hallie Vanderhider, Brigitte Kalai, Saula Valenti, Nini Hale, Tena Faust, Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff, Angie Roberts, Cheryl Byington, Laurette Veres, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Heidi Rockecharlie, Cindy Bendy, Gayla Gardner, Chris Kase, Sandra Porter, Sherri Zucker, Charity Yarborough Cox, Sonia Soto, Merele Yarborough, Kathy Herr, Alex Blair, Raquel Lewis, Linda Lorelle, Melisa Murphy, Jerre Williams, Kim Padgett, Angela Poujol, Phyllis Williams, George Crawford, Laura Wald, Melissa Clann, Mary Ellen Verbois, Steve Smith, Jamie Sparacino, Anita Wilson, Cindi Proler, Courtney Adame, Mary Jo Hunt, Jody Martin, Becky Wheeler, Margret Pinkston, Samantha Stewart, Gaye Mayeux, Connie Kwan Wong, Teresa Reading, Dana Collins, Alce Kwan, Ritu Nadkami, Stephanie Nelson, Jacquie Baley, Marian McClendon, Shawntell McWilliams, and Tammie Anne Johnson.

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