
A rare set of photographs of the 'real' Downton Abbey which include a visit from the future King have been unearthed after more than 120 years.

The magnificent 19th century Highclere Castle in Hampshire was home to George Herbert, fifth Earl of Carnarvon, and his wife Almina Herbert in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The 1895 album, which goes up for auction next month, contains 44 photographs of the 80-bedroom house, its staff and sprawling grounds, which later served as the set of Downton Abbey in the hit ITV period drama.

Prince Edward (later Edward VII) centre, with the 5th Earl of Carnarvon immediately to his left, pose for a photograph in the grounds of Highclere Castle in Hampshire, now better known as the set of ITV period drama Downton Abbey

Among them are images of the Earl of Carnarvon and Almina - the 'real life Lord' and Lady Grantham who were played by Hugh Boneville and Elizabeth McGovern in the award-winning show.

Other black and white images from the extraordinary collection depict shooting parties including one involving Prince Edward, who became King Edward VII six years later, and the house staff.

At that time there, were as many as 60 members of staff living in and around the castle, including a house steward, butlers, footmen, housekeepers, maids, kitchen staff and hall and steward room boys.

The lives of Carnarvon and Almina were every bit as remarkable as those of Lord Grantham's family in Downton Abbey, which was set around the same period.

The sprawling Highclere Castle, made famous as Downton Abbey. The country pile was home to George Herbert, fifth Earl of Carnarvon, and his wife Almina Herbert in the late 19th and early 20th century

Highclere Castle as it stands today, left, and in a recently-unearthed photograph from 1895, right. The album, which is up for auction, contains 44 large mounted photographs of the house, staff and estate of Highclere in 1895

Just like in the TV series, the couple turned Highclere Castle into a hospital for wounded servicemen returning from France in the First World War.

Almina was an adept nurse who healed many injured soldiers, receiving hundreds of thank you letters from grateful families.

But it was Canarvon's help in discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun with archaeologist Howard Carter in Egypt in 1922 that he was best known for.

The 5th Earl of Carnarvon (back right) and Carnarvon's then wife, Almina, Countess of Carnarvon (centre) with companions

The 5th Earl of Carnarvon (centre) with two companions. The intimate set of portraits of the real Downton Abbey which include the visit of the future king have been unearthed after more than 120 years and are due to be auctioned

He bankrolled Carter's digs and provided the political clout required for such high profile excavations.

In 1921, Carter was summoned to Highclere to receive the news that Carnarvon was giving up on the digs.

Carter made an appeal to finance one final dig from his own pocket and any find would still belong to Carnarvon, as holder of the concession.

Impressed by Carter's commitment, Carnarvon relented, even agreeing to finance the final dig.

A shooting party, with the 5th Earl of Carnarvon seated at the front on the right. Just like in the TV series, the owners turned Highclere Castle into a hospital for wounded servicemen returning from France in the First World War

Highclere Castle staff pose for a photograph on the grounds of the sprawling estate. The album is valued at £500 and will be auctioned off by Lawrences Auctioneers on February 3

Four months after their amazing discovery, Carnarvon was struck down with pneumonia and died, although legend has it he was in fact struck down by the 'mummy's curse' which bestowed the 'most dire punishment follows any rash intruder into a sealed tomb'.

Carter and Carnarvon's close relationship was documented in the ITV drama series Tutankhamum which aired last year, with Carnarvon played by Sam Neill.

Following Carnarvon's deathhis son, Henry, returned to Highclere where he lived until 1986.

An exterior shot of the grand property that later became 'Downton Abbey'. Its owner's help in discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun with archaeologist Howard Carter in Egypt in 1922 that he was best known for

The drawing room at Highclere Castle. Robert Ansell, a specialist at Lawrences, said: 'These fascinating images of Highclere Castle offer a rare glimpse into the life of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his circle'

A rare photograph of Highclere's interior. Speaking of the photographs, Robert Ansell added: 'Such material is increasingly scarce on the open market and we've received strong interest, particularly with the public enthusiasm for Downton Abbey'

During the Second World War, the castle, that has 80 bedrooms and 300 rooms, briefly became a home for evacuee children from London.

The Carnarvon family have been in residence since 1672 and today's inhabitants are the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

The photo album is being sold by Lawrences auctioneers of Crewkerne, Somerset.

The Temple of Diana in the gardens of Highclere, one of the many 'follies' built on the estate's grounds. The structure was erected before 1743 with Ionic order columns from Devonshire House in Piccadilly

An exterior shot of the castle and its grounds. During the Second World War, the castle, which has 80 bedrooms and 300 rooms, briefly became a home for evacuee children from London

Robert Ansell, a specialist at Lawrences, said: 'These fascinating images of Highclere Castle offer a rare glimpse into the life of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his circle.

'They were evidently commissioned from a local photographer and perhaps mark the visit of Prince Edward to the estate in 1895.

'Such material is increasingly scarce on the open market and we've received strong interest, particularly with the public enthusiasm for Downton Abbey.'