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Julian Fellowes has taken his seat in the House of Lords as a Conservative peer.
The Oscar-winning screenwriter and creator of hit ITV period drama Downton Abbey was one of three new coalition peers inducted into the upper House.
Lord Fellowes of West Stafford, whose title comes from the Dorset village where he lives, wore the traditional red, white and gold ermine robes while he swore his allegiance to the Queen in a brief ceremony of introduction.
The 61-year-old, an acclaimed chronicler of the upper classes, achieved a surprise hit last year with the ITV drama based in a stately home.
He had previously gained fame as an actor and won an Oscar in 2002 for writing the screenplay for Robert Altman's film Gosford Park.
While taking the oath, Lord Fellowes was watched from the public gallery by friends and family including his wife Emma Kitchener-Fellowes.
Lord Fellowes was one of 54 new peers announced by Downing Street last November. Prominent new members due to take their seats in the coming weeks include broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell.
