The English Highclere castle might best be known as the setting for Downton Abbey‚ but its 19th-century earl played a role in the passing of the British North America Act and the eventual birth of a new country, called Canada.

The Canadian connection

1. Generations of Carnarvons took on a variety of roles over the years and at one point, they played a big part in Canada's confederation.
2. In fact, the fourth Earl of Carnarvon was Secretary of State for the colonies and helped Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, create an independent Canada.
3. The documents were drawn up in Carnarvon's home, Highclere Castle.
4. "The Canadian constitution was written by Lord Carnarvon … at Highclere," said Carnarvon.
5. "He and John A. Macdonald became good friends and obviously it led to the first of July, 1867."
6. Carnarvon says she found a diary where Macdonald described Highclere as a "swell place."

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Canada 150: Huge crowds and Prince Charles and Downton Abbey celebrate Canada's anniversary.

Click here for the full Canada 150th Anniversary BBC NEWS story:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40468161 and scroll all the way down to the last video on the page entitled "Highclere Castle - which is Downton Abbey - played a key part in the formation of Canada" .