Lord Julian Fellowes to retire from House of Lords after 13 years

Lord Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, will retire from the House of Lords next month. The 74-year-old peer, who has lived with spinal stenosis for decades, announced his departure after 13 years in the Upper House.

Fellowes was first diagnosed with spinal stenosis around 40 years ago. The condition worsened in recent years, eventually requiring surgery. Despite mobility challenges, he has remained active in public life, though he now relies on a wheelchair.

He joined the House of Lords in 2011 under David Cameron's Coalition government. Taking the title Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, he represented the Dorset area where he resides. His time in Parliament spanned over a decade, though details of his political work remain largely undocumented.

At home, Fellowes shares a Dorset manor house with his wife, Emma Kitchener. The couple's adult son, Peregrine, completes the family. While he has not disclosed his reasons for retiring, Fellowes has described himself as fortunate despite his health struggles.

Fellowes will formally step down in the coming weeks. His departure marks the end of a long parliamentary career, shaped by both public service and personal resilience. The peer's future plans remain private, though he continues to live in Dorset with his family.