PBS Forced to Pull ‘Downton Abbey’ Jewelry From Site

It sounded like a great fundraising idea for PBS—jewelry inspired by its hit show Downton Abbey.

According to British newspaper The Daily Mail, items included a “Lady Sybil Black Pearl necklace and earring set,” which sold for $199.98.

“As it was in the Edwardian era, this stunning pearl necklace could easily move from your afternoon tea to evening dinner,” site copy read.

Other items on the page included an “antique jet glass bracelet and earring set,” “Lady Mary knotted pearl necklace and earring set,” and a “crystal necklace and champagne earring set.” An archived version of the page can be seen here.

But Carnival Films, producers of the series, reportedly complained, with a spokesman telling Today.com it did not authorize the line and did not want the jewelry, which The Mail characterized as “Downton Shabby,” associated with its characters. It added that its lawyers had been in touch with ShopPBS.

Michael Gelter, ombudsman for PBS, noted on his blog that the jewelry has since been pulled. At press time, the “jewelry and accessories” page for Downton Abbey listed no items.

“ShopPBS obtained jewelry from a number of third-party vendors and placed them within a collection of products dedicated to Downton Abbey,” according to a PBS statement posted by Gelter. “An email from the business affairs office of NBC/Carnival was received requesting that we remove these items. PBS complied immediately and the products are no longer being offered.”

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