The Dowager Countess' Royal Romance | Downton Abbey

In 1874, Violet Crawley fell madly in love with Prince Kuragin in the Russian Winter Palace, and they planned to elope together. 50 years later, they meet again in Downton Abbey after Prince Kuragin's exile from Russia to England. Soon old feelings resurface once again, and when the Prince proposes the Dowager Countess is faced with an impossible decision.
This is the official KZbin channel for Downton Abbey. Immerse yourself in the much-loved British historical drama, relive some of your favourite moments and tragedies, and keep up-to-date with the latest news!
The costume drama series, Downton Abbey, written and created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, stars Academy Award-winner Maggie Smith as a Dowager Countess of an Edwardian English country house in 1912. The series portrays the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them, in a time before the last vestige of a century’s old tradition were stripped away by World War and the modern age. The all-star cast also includes Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern.
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[@samanthac.349]

This storyline and the most recent movie makes me wish we could see a show about Violet when she was younger.

[@m.layfette6249]

There is fan talk about a Downton Abbey Prequel. 🤞🏾 The most important task is who to cast as the Young Lady Grantham (Violet). Who do you know that could step in and fill the shoes of a Young Dame Maggie Smith. Good Luck figuring that out

[@l.a.3479]

Natalie Dormer? ​@@m.layfette6249

[@kimkelly3075]

That would be so awesome

[@chadoakley8505]

@@m.layfette6249 Fiona Glascott

[@BintyMcFrazzles]

It would be a great idea, but I don't know who they'd cast. I hope they would use the existing producers, directors etc, otherwise you'd end up with something which had more style than substance and just featured women getting their tatty-bo-jangles out all the time. Like they did with The Tudors.

[@pdruiz2005]

They should do this as a spinoff. The Dowager Countess in the glittering court of St. Petersburg of the 1870s, falling in love with a dashing, handsome Russian prince. Sounds like something straight out of a Tolstoy novel.

[@jws1948ja]

He was a prince of evil intent. His wife saved her.

[@junewilson1629]

@@jws1948ja Oh I don't know about that. This was probably not that unheard of back then. And with little consequences for one party rather than the other. They would have had their fling and eventually he would have had to come back to his wife and Violet to Lord Grantham.

[@1997nick]

I love the casual "men notice nothing" 😂

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

Hey, I'm a man, and I resemble that remark! 😂

[@BjBS5678]

Not to generalize but more often than not this observation carries some truth. Sorry Gents--BJB

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

@@BjBS5678 Your comment came in over an hour ago, and I didn't notice it, lol.

[@guyledouche7939]

I instantly knew that there was a story about a man behind the fan because she remembered EXACTLY what she wore that night.

[@m.layfette6249]

"I will never again receive an immoral proposition from a man." "Was I so wrong to savor it?!?"

[@12classics39]

One of the best lines of the entire show.

[@ohdamnman]

No not at all

[@infonut]

Try telling yourself, "there ain't gonna be no more." Trust me. It's devastating to the heart.

[@dublinjazz1]

How I envy anyone watching DA for the first time. Enjoy every minute!!

[@LazyDaisyDay88]

What an absolutely lovely thing to say! Made me stop and comment, which I rarely do. Thank you for posting.

[@JulieAnne17-dn]

Thank you so much!

[@AntonioTorres-om7iw]

Such marvelous feeling, i watch it every year at spring, this and Rome.

[@junewilson1629]

I enjoy every minute of all the repeats that I have been watching this. There is much to soak up - the historical aspect, the architectural aspect, the psychological aspect (expectancy of the male vs female roles & manners back then), the fashionable aspect of makes and clothing, the mechanical aspect of trains and vehicles (and of course boats/ships).... etc.

[@acooper6956]

I've only seen clips on KZbin. I'm now considering buying the series and binge watching.

[@amandaljohnson]

Maggie Smith's story telling abilities are unmatched. I wonder if she's done audiobooks

[@junewilson1629]

She's done Sister Act - played mother superior. Did just as good of a job in that one.

[@MeyaRoseGirl]

Absolutely loved everything about this story line. Violet has the appearance of a stodgy, cold, old, Victorian lady, but this story (along with others in the show) show that she actually loves passionately but discreetly. And I love the last few seconds of the video with Robert that make it clear that just because she chose her less passionate marriage with old Lord Grantham doesn't mean she lived a joyless, loveless existence.

[@rpallen3129]

And Mary's beautiful, insightful comment: "Granny has a past!"

[@junewilson1629]

@@rpallen3129 and Mary's other comment wherein it was a good thing that the children already existed otherwise they could spin a story out of that one. Not sure the Dowager would have approved of that story from Mary then.... LOL

[@m.layfette6249]

"That's all the answer you'll get."

[@harringt100]

I like how Isobel tries to trick her into answering the same question again later, and she sticks to her guns.

[@m.layfette6249]

@@harringt100 In the end Isobel is the only one she trusts with her letters and papers and secrets of the past. Their friendship is the stuff of Legends.

[@BintyMcFrazzles]

This was a wonderful storyline, and I can't help but half-wish Violet had taken the Prince up on his offer. Maggie Smith is superb, as always.

[@fannycraddock99]

'It's how it must be', such a sad statement in my life too!

[@ShaunakDesaiPiano]

Alternate title: Gregorovitch the wand maker and Minerva McGonagall discussing eloping.

[@christoffellner84]

Demonstrates quite an amount of self reflection to do such an act. That's what i admire about Violet Crawley

[@garretthildebrandt428]

"You only say that to sound clever!" "I know. You should try it."

[@anselmvonkoroisau9095]

I so hope there is a spin-off into Lady Violet Crawley's life. Creators of Downton Abbey... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, MAKE ONE!!!😢❤

[@盧璘壽로인수]

not surprising Violet owned a few priceless Faberge pieces

[@fayesouthall6604]

Exactly a woman of taste 😊

[@盧璘壽로인수]

@@fayesouthall6604 we have to thank Queen Alexandra for convincing Faberge (via her sister Dagmar/Maria Feodorovna) to establish a British branch

[@phwbooth]

Magnificent performance by Jane Lapotaire.

[@the8thchurch461]

I love that lady Jane Lapotaire. Isn't she a beauty? Her big eyes and the whole face. Age didn't take anything from her. Her beauty seemed to stay with her. I am a fan

[@phwbooth]

@@the8thchurch461 And the way she can say so many words with a 'mphhh'.

[@ValerieFarrington-t2v]

How delightful. This is just what ladies of senior years need ! The more, the merrier.,! 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀❤️❤️❤️

[@georgeprchal3924]

"I shall never again receive an indecent proposal from a man."

[@NewLifebyVanessaCalfanCalfan]

immoral. somehow it didn´t feel immoral. He has professed his love for her

[@cya2163]

I always wished she'd given in to him...to be together w/someone who loved her so deeply...and who still had her secret heart...

[@12classics39]

His wife was still alive. Violet would’ve betrayed her principles by going with him.

[@RobertodelaVega-t3w]

His wife, the princess seemed very harsh and cold, I could see why he did not want to be with her. The revolution and her time in prison had a profound effect on her or maybe she was always that way. In any case, it would have been a delight if he did have a final affair with Violet.

[@bruh-lg6ch]

And just ditch your kids in the process

[@carmenmonoxide7459]

"We were the Edwardians." That's confusing because the details of their relationship suggests a Victorian era. Whatevs, "Granny has a past" 🤭

[@creativewriter3887]

"oh GRAN-eee" as mary would say.

[@peadar-o]

When King Edward the Seventh was still crown Prince, it was quite normal for the married people in his circle to have affairs as long as it was done discreetly. Even women were permitted, provided that they had given birth to enough heirs to prevent a lover’s love child to inherit (a title and or an estate).

[@simonrooney2272]

The Edwardians are a generation, Violet always was an Edwardian no matter who was King or Queen because she was a member of the same generation as Edward VII

[@samanthac.349]

“We were the Edwardians.” She hinted that she did have another affair. Obviously, the Russian wedding was during the Victorian era (1874, by my research), but I wonder if she was saying that her last affair was during the Edwardian period?

[@creativewriter3887]

She had a thing with the man who left her a vila in the south of France! Of course that apparently was BEFORE the Russian Prince.

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

That's a good observation.

[@simonrooney2272]

No because the Edwardians are a generation, all her life she was and is an Edwardian

[@samanthac.349]

@@simonrooney2272 There was no “Edwardian generation”. There was an Edwardian era (1901-1910 during the reign of King Edward VII, sometimes extended to 1914 when WWI started), but not a generation named for him. That would be like calling the 3.5 generations born during Elizabeth II’s reign (1952-2022) as a single generation.

[@simonrooney2272]

@@samanthac.349 The Edwardians were the generation of aristocrats who were in the same generation as Edward VII and took part in a lot of his partying

[@infonut]

WOOF's at that prince. In his 70's and still a looker.

[@jazzycat8917]

The idea of Violet genuinely trying to elope with the Prince is incredible.....until you realise that she was also choosing to abandon Robert and Rosamund, which is.......yikes

[@RoPiDe]

Is like Anna Karenina...

[@TheWellnessKitchen]

Baby, granny was out there trying to risk it all.😂

[@rebeccadakes]

Prince keratin explaining the severity of his loss is just so sad

[@roycealcoser]

SEASON 7 PLEASE!!!!!

[@thelonewolf1894]

My mother loves this show

[@Andrew-wl3hn]

This storyline makes me want a prequal of Lady Grantham's life so badly

[@amaryllis7482]

"including the will to live" the LAUGH that escaped me

[@margarethdeoscopo4448]

Simplesmente o máximo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sunnisotherside]

anyone notice she said wore light blue velvet when they first met and she’s wearing dark blue velvet this time round

[@cfrygirl]

Oh please someone make a show about the Dowager Countess’s earlier life! The bones of the storyline is already written in Downton Abbey! There’s actually several seasons I can think of! Also, to anyone interested there is an amazing fan edit on KZbin someone did about the Prince and the Dowager when they were younger!

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

"Men notice nothing!" Hey, I'm a man, and I resemble that remark! 😂

[@girasol2404]

Love is love always no matter circumstances

[@lightgiver7311]

Hope is a tease, designed to prevent us from accepting reality. Truer words, never spoken.

[@amyhopkins5017]

Yes please! Please do a prequel!

[@hassansoliman970]

"I will never again recieve an immoral proposition from a man." "You don't know that" "But I do MrS cRawley!"

[@echoesofwar]

"Rememeber... we were the EdWAHHRdians" haha

[@giada7571]

So she was about to become an Anna Karenina but the princess saved her.

[@asteverino8569]

Wonderful stuff of life. Reminds me of some wonderful stuff, anyway.

[@qui_etes_vous]

Fun fun, fun to watch live, haven't done that in, YEARS! Not since, 2010! Fact. Love you, all, and, Miss You, "Downton Abbey," Cast, and, Formal Titles. -Brittney Lee Hill Collier, Friday, Febuary, 16th, 2024. 5:13 p.m.

[@josecastillo4390]

T amo downton abbey

[@MorriganWarrioress]

Admittedly, I watched sporadically and mostly for Maggie Smith (and a couple of the staff), but would it have been so terribly hard to have (in the films) to have the Princess either pass away or divorce the Prince of her own will, and thus allow Lady Granthem and the Prince to have gotten to spend the final years of their lives together?

[@harringt100]

I don't think Violet really wanted to. I think that was part of the reason she worked so hard to have the Princess found.

[@callmeswivelhips8229]

Is that what she meant by saying that she had finally saved the Princess from utter ruin?? By "saving" her marriage with the Prince?? It seems to me Violet was apprehensive and distrustful of her own emotion and desire here. Or am I misunderstanding something???

[@julie2673]

I don't think he wanted his wife to be found.

[@NewLifebyVanessaCalfanCalfan]

It doesn´t seem like the princess wanted to be found either

[@Dkazakis84]

If they can make Queen Charlotte, they can make Dowager Countess in her glory

[@m.layfette6249]

Watching these clips hit differently today in the wake of her passing. "No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else's house."

[@Prince_Kuragin]

After a new era,,,i believe they're preparing the wedding of grand duchess maria for us to watch

[@claireturnbull7719]

How I would love to have the entire DVD set of Downton abbey series,how many series were there altogether please can someone tell me?I know they're expensive

[@jws1948ja]

She did right to find the princess and send them both away.

[@hpavalferr7201]

💯 👏🏻

[@shankarbalan3813]

Tragic way that the Russian Aristocracy was destroyed.

[@Dickens58]

I've already said yes and I wasn't asked. lol

[@Impossiblyy]

❤

[@lauroandrea3241]

Anna Karenina interruptus

[@LeeAnnahsCreations]

"We were the Edwardians" 15:16 .... that doesn't feel right. When she would have been young, it had to have been the Victorian era. It's her son that would have been the Edwardian. The Victorian Era was from 1837 to 1901... The Edwardian Era was from 1901 to 1910.

[@danielscherer25]

It might have been the case, that with that she meant the generation of Edwardians. She must have been the same generation, which in contrast to the Victorians, was known to enjoy to the pleasures of life.

[@LeeAnnahsCreations]

@@danielscherer25 I see

[@SleepyPeonyFlower-ui8xu]

I would think the prince wanted to be taken away by violet from his gloomy room to violet's comfortable dowager house

[@12classics39]

Did anyone else feel uncomfortable with this storyline? Rather than try to find his wife, the Prince wanted to run off yet again with someone he hadn't seen in 50 years and take her away from her entire family. She had already moved on and had people who loved and needed her. But on top of that, he has nothing and she has so much money … it’s pretty likely he was just being a gold-digger here.

[@billhosko7723]

good grief

[@daled.4495]

Love can transcend many things, even time.

[@harringt100]

It was creepy. I mean, it's kind of understandable for a refugee who used to be a prince to be looking for a comfortable home. But it didn't seem like he was really considering any of her feelings very seriously.

[@julijakeit]

some men just love the challenge. once they achieve what they want, they move onto the next challenge.

[@simonrooney2272]

I didn't like it either. Corragen was just whiny and selfish, the Dowager was way too good for him

[@kamion53]

I let this movie pass when iin the cinema, fearing that after the previous movie the Downton formula would have gone a bit stale and worn. looks I was wrong.

[@harringt100]

This was part of the series, not a movie.

[@TheBeliever1204]

Kinda stupid to invent that Romance

[@jeanne8507]

RIP Dame Maggie Smith. September 27, 2024.

[@leslieellis3729]

No not at all. Definitely after we met her. 😊 Short lived infatuation can make you do unwise things.

[@xwiirastusx]

Two noticeable inconcistencies: at first Prince Kuragin refers to himself as Ilya, but later on is addressed as Igor; a the meeting the Princess Kuragin strongly suggests she's going to commit suicide under Violet's roof, but it seems, for whatever reason, the plot line was abandoned.

[@RoPiDe]

Commit suicide ‽‽‽‽ Where did you get that idea??