My Favourite Old Etonian: Julian Ovenden

I have lived in Hurley since 1995 on returning from life in Hong Kong.  As well as being a professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide, I work in the Royal Windsor Information Centre and belong to the Guild of Stewards at St George’s Chapel where I lead school tours.

Married with three daughters and two grandsons, my interests include history, amateur dramatics, singing in a local choir, co-presenting on local radio, travel, reading, walking and generally keeping fit and happy.

My favourite Old Etonian is Julian Ovenden.  Born on 29 November 1975, Julian is an English actor and singer who has starred on Broadway and in West End shows, on television both here and in the US as well as in films.  He has performed internationally as a concert and recording artist too.

Julian is one of three children of the Reverend Canon John Ovenden, a former chaplain to HM The Queen and now Canon Emeritus of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Canon John was the spiritual/personal mentor for the Stewards in St George’s Chapel and he interviewed me for the position back in 2001.  It was a hilarious interview and we chatted for ages about just about everything. 

Canon John was The Queen’s Chaplain at that time.  I can remember John saying that it was not unusual for Julian to return home to Chaplain’s Lodge in Windsor Great Park to find Her Majesty The Queen sitting down in the front room!

We, as a family, had the privilege of John marrying my eldest daughter and my son-in-law in Her Majesty’s Chapel in Windsor Great Park in August 2011.  Although Canon John has moved to Oxford University in a new role, I still get a wink from him on Garter Day!

I have watched Julian on TV and heard him sing many times.  In 2012 The Telegraph referred to him as “the sweet-singing son of a Queen’s Chaplain.”

Julian sang in St Paul’s Cathedral Choir in London as a child.  He later won a music scholarship to Eton College and subsequently read music at New College, Oxford on a choral scholarship.

He has received training as an opera singer and he went on to use his music training in musical theatre.  He continued his academic studies in drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

Julian has appeared on the stage both here and in the US and has sung theatre songs in several concerts at The Proms.  In 2015, he played Captain von Trapp in ITV’s live adaptation of The Sound of Music.

Julian has been seen frequently on TV here in Foyles War, The Forsyte Saga and The Royal but is probably best known for playing Charles Blake in two seasons of the immensely popular historical drama series Downton Abbey.

On US TV, Julian has appeared as Jeremy Lambert in Person of Interest.  He played JFK in Smash and more recently, he portrayed another Kennedy (Robert) in The Crown.

His recent film work includes playing opposite Emma Watson in Colonia and he is currently starring as William de Nogaret in Knightfall.

As a solo artist, Julian has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras and he is a regular performer at The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2014 and followed it up with another headlining concert in 2015.

Julian is also a recording artist having recorded his debut album with Decca in 2013 and a Downton Abbey Christmas record for Warner Music that went double platinum.  In 2015 he signed a multiple record deal with East West Records and a new album was released in 2016.  He has since recorded more albums in the easy-listening musical style he is known for.

Eton College and the performing arts

Eton College has extraordinary facilities such as a professional-standard 400-seat Farrar Theatre plus two studio theatres capable of producing 30 productions a year.  There is a strong performative aspect of Eton life with numerous house activities, competitions and societies and it has a track record in producing world-class actors and performers. 

In an interview, Julian commented that going to Eton does not necessarily mean instant success in acting, “you still need to earn your stripes.”

In another interview with The Evening Standard he said, “The ethos of the school gives people a sense of confidence…vital if you’re going to make a good stab of showbusiness.”

Top three things I'm looking forward to doing post-lockdown

1. Seeing my husband who will be able to fly back from Hong Kong and have an extended holiday here.  He was supposed to have been here for Easter.

2. Having a family barbecue here by the river for all my family who I have missed seeing during lockdown.

3. Going to the theatre either in Windsor or London.  I have been following various shows on YouTube but there is nothing quite like live theatre in a real theatre!

Debbie Keenan