accompany him on a three-month tour of Africa. However, Edith reveals to him that she is pregnant, and the child's birth will coincide with Bertie's departure date. Unable to get out of his commitment himself, Bertie's mother-in-law Cora and Queen Mary intercede on his behalf. Staff Mr Carson Charles 'Charlie' Carson (played by Jim Carter), called Mr Carson by staff and Carson by the family, is the butler at Downton Abbey. Mr Carson is in charge of the pantry, wine cellar, and dining room, as well as the male staff, who report to him. He has worked at Downton since he was a young man, when his grandfather was its Head Groom. Beginning as a junior footman, he rose to become butler by 1890. He is a major figure in the community in his own right, as evidenced in series five when he is asked to chair a committee building a memorial to townsmen who died during the First World War. He tends towards nostalgia and fears change (such as the installation of telephones in the house and electricity in the kitchen, as well as the election of a Labour government). He has a stern, but fatherly, disposition over the servants. He also has a special place in his heart for Lady Mary, given she was the first child born at Downton during his tenure as butler. He is one of the few people who is prepared to speak frankly to her, and is prepared to leave Downton Abbey to join her at Haxby when she is engaged to Sir Richard Carlisle. He only changes his mind when he learns more of Sir Richard's questionable moral character, and is clearly distressed by Lady Mary's reaction to his decision. It is he who eventually talks Lady Mary out of her listless grief over Matthew's death. She reacts callously at first, reminding him of his place, but soon comes to apologise, and finally breaks down and cries. Carson quickly steps forward to comfort her, and assures her she will always find a source of support in him. He has never condemned Mary for any of her more questionable actions, and Mrs Hughes once remarks that "Mr Carson would forgive (Lady Mary) if (she) attacked him with a brick." For a brief time before entering into household service, Mr Carson was a music hall performer in the vaudeville duo the "Cheerful Charlies" alongside