One of the stars of Downton Abbey didn’t know his character’s real first name until filming began for one of the show’s most romantic and long-awaited scenes. The release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has forced audiences to say goodbye to arguably the most beloved period drama of all time, with almost every major member of the remaining cast returning for Downton’s final story.

This includes Harry Hadden-Paton’s Bertie Pelham, later referred to as the 7th Marquess of Hexham, who was first introduced to the Crawley family in the 2014 Downton Abbey Christmas special. In Downton Abbey’s last-ever episode, Bertie marries the unfairly overlooked Lady Edith (Laura Charmichael), giving Edith her much-deserved happy ending.

It wasn’t until this crucial final episode that Hadden-Paton discovered “Bertie’s” first name, however. During an interview with People at the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale premiere, the actor revealed that he only learned his character’s full name was Herbert Pelham when he first saw the wedding program for Bertie and Edith’s wedding.

“I still have the program from my wedding, Bert and Edith’s wedding, which is kind of special, and it’s how I learned my name. It says on the front of it. ‘The marriage of Herbert and Edith,’ and I had no idea I was a Herbert. I always thought I was an Albert or something.”

What Hadden-Paton’s Story Tells Us About Downton Abbey

Of course, Hadden-Paton’s confusion is more of a fun behind-the-scenes fact than anything else, and doesn’t really impact whatever happened in the show. Still, for a series as meticulous about the important details as Downton Abbey, from the sets to the costumes, the hairstyles, and historically accurate props and storylines, it’s certainly funny to realize that something this ultimately trivial was overlooked.

Hadden-Paton also revealed that, in addition to the wedding program, he’d kept a three-piece suit from the end of the show. Unfortunately, he was asked to return it as soon as filming began on the 2019 Downton Abbey movie. “I stole a suit that was at the end of the series that they asked back as soon as we did the movie,” the actor told People.

At least he was allowed to keep that all-important and beautiful memento from Herbert and Edith’s wedding scene.

Our Take On Hadden-Paton’s Downton Abbey Character

Hadden-Paton’s reveal doesn’t change anything in Downton‘s story, of course, and it certainly didn’t affect his performance or participation in Edith’s life-changing romance. Despite Edith’s well-kept and potentially ruinous secret, Bertie fell in love with her and continued to love her, supporting her career goals since the start of their relationship.

Whether he was named Herbert or Albert, Bertie’s life changed irrevocably when he became the 7th Marquess of Hexham, anyway. Suddenly, he was Lord Hexham. What did his full name truly matter? Luckily, Herbert and Edith’s love story continues (and ends) in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, a fitting finish for the Downton Abbey franchise.