This could be a more traditional British family. But a traditional English Butler is also increasing in popularity by international families who aspire to a lifestyle of Britain in times like Downton Abbey. Another place where you can still see a traditional style Butler nowadays, is parties and events.
Today, Highclere is home to George Herbert and his wife Fiona, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Lord and Lady Carnarvon), owners of the 'real' Downton Abbey house.
Yet, today some households have hired females to serve as the homes' butlers. Another difference between traditional and modern butlers is they do not always live-in at the households they service. Traditionally, butlers were expected to be live-in and available 24/7.
In older houses where the butler is the most senior worker, titles such as majordomo, butler administrator, house manager, manservant, staff manager, chief of staff, staff captain, estate manager, and head of household staff are sometimes given.
How truthful is Downton Abbey? In most respects, very. The one element that does not ring true is the easy interaction and conversation between the upstairs world of the family and their peers and the downstairs world of the hired help. That just didn't happen (or at least not on such a scale).
It has previously been reported that the Queen is a fan of Downton Abbey. According to Brian Hoey, the author of At Home With The Queen, the monarch would watch the show when it aired from 2011 to 2018 and “point out things they have got wrong, partly because she is familiar with Highclere Castle, where it is filmed”.
Fortunately for the cast, many food items are the real deal, seasonings and all. "I got caught eating something like cake because I'm always eating on set," says McShera.
Australian Butlers offer a range of services including recruitment and placement of all residential and personal staff, property management for country houses and owners living overseas and fully staffed, luxury private residences for visitors.
Butlers have traditionally been an important part of many households, often acting as a personal confidant and facilitating a well-run household. Today's Australian butler is a qualified service professional, providing lifestyle management and support, delivered with grace and style, devoid of pomp and pretension.
They greet guests by name, track down lost luggage, and serve as a sort of personal assistant. Butlers also cater to well-heeled guests at Ritz-Carlton and many other luxury hotels. But, like Mr. Carson on Downton Abbey, they're best known for their work overseeing private households of the very rich.
Families and groups can enjoy this perk with the services of the Ritz-Carlton brand's only BBQ Butler, who will help set up and man the grill, offer tips on crafting the perfect barbecue, and serve a meal full of Southern flavors. You can select sides, sauces, and more from three pre-set BBQ Butler menus.
In the United States a butler will usually wear a business suit, a light coloured shirt and a business-style tie. The suit can be of any colour during the day but is typically black in the evening, when a black bow tie is also preferred.
“Country houses were requisitioned by the military during the second world war, and frequently damaged,” says Cowell. “When the keys were handed back, the families had lost the wherewithal to repair them. With no legal protection in place, the houses were just pulled down.”
Highclere Castle is most recognizable to the world as the real life location of the TV show—and much anticipated movie, out September 20—Downton Abbey.
It's Downton, Not Downtown: And it's not about life at a convent or monastery as "abbey" might make you think! The sprawling estate—home to the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff—was once an ecclesiastical property, hence the "abbey" in the title.
Butler average salary in Australia
The average annual salary for Butler jobs in Australia ranges from $60,000 to $80,000.
For full time, permanent positions we charge 15% of gross first annual salary (plus GST for placements within Australia). This is a one-off fee. We do not charge a retainer fee to commence the recruitment process.
All Guests should be greeted either by title and Family name, or as "Sir" or "Madam". The Butler should be given the title of "Mr. ~", and addressed as such. The Housekeeper is given the title of "Missus ~", and should be addressed as such, regardless of her marital status.
The Best Butlers
Most butlers are employed in the USA and the Middle East. Most successful butlers are Swiss and Dutch (probably because of their language skills). The best butler school in the world is The International Butler Academy, located in a small village called Simpelveld in The Netherlands.
There are highly skilled female butlers. Who are trained to perform the tasks traditionally reserved for males. Such as security and chauffeuring. Many female butlers are also excellent at managing staff, organising events, and managing household projects such as refurbishments.
Employers generally prefer their butlers to be single. It is felt that butlers with wives can be torn between their loyalties towards their families and their master. A butler without any family commitments of his own is therefore able to devote himself entirely to the needs of the family he serves.
Does the Queen ever cook for herself? McGrady says that while Prince Philip was an “amazing chef” and regularly enjoyed cooking on the grill and having family BBQs on the Balmoral estate, and the younger royals like William, Kate, Meghan and Harry, all enjoy cooking, the Queen herself stays out of the kitchen.
She tries to support Robert as much as possible as he worries over his family's secrets. The worry turns out to be for nothing, and Cora learns that her condition is pernicious anemia, which is totally treatable.
Some enterprising writer must do a book titled “The Downton Diet.” It would explain how to get and stay slim without moving a muscle, as the aristocratic women in the wildly popular British drama series demonstrate. Furthermore, they appear to eat three square meals a day, plus tea with nibbles.