🎬 Harry Hadden Paton Confesses to Stealing from ‘Downton Abbey’ Set and Getting Caught
📺 Background
Harry Hadden Paton, best known for his role as Herbert “Bertie” Pelham, the 7th Marquess of Hexham, in the popular television series and film franchise Downton Abbey, recently confessed to stealing a costume from the set. The actor revealed this during an interview at the premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in New York City on September 8, 2025.
🧥 The Stolen Suit Incident
Hadden Paton admitted that he took a three-piece suit from the set at the end of the series filming nearly a decade ago. However, when production began for the first Downton Abbey movie, the crew asked for the suit back.
He recalled:
“I stole a suit that was at the end of the series that they asked back as soon as we did the movie. They were like, ‘Can we have that suit back?’ And I was [grumpy face], and it was fine because I hadn’t worn it in all the time, like when was I going to wear a three-piece suit?”.
Despite returning the suit, Hadden Paton managed to keep a sentimental souvenir: the program from his character’s wedding to Lady Edith (played by Laura Carmichael), which he still cherishes.
🎭 Context of the Theft
Hadden Paton is not the only Downton Abbey star to have taken props from the set. Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham, previously confessed to stealing several items, including:
A letter from the character Henry Talbot (played by Matthew Goode).
The telegram from Season 1 announcing the outbreak of World War I.
🎥 About Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
The third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise, titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, was released in the UK on September 12, 2025. The movie concludes the story of the Crawley family and their staff as they face the challenges of entering the 1930s, including financial instability and social changes.
🌟 Hadden Paton’s Role
Hadden Paton’s character, Bertie Pelham, marries Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) in the series, making her the Marchioness of Hexham and elevating her social status above the rest of her family. In the final film, the couple is portrayed as being in a “place of happiness,” with Edith feeling empowered and comfortable in her role as a magazine editor.
💎 Conclusion
Harry Hadden Paton’s lighthearted confession adds to the anecdotes about actors keeping souvenirs from their time on Downton Abbey. While he had to return the stolen suit, he retained a personally meaningful keepsake from his character’s wedding.
