#DuchessAtDownton – Kate Meets The Cast Of Downton Abbey
Kate Middleton takes a tour of the Downton Abbey set
Kate Middleton takes a tour of the Downton Abbey set
You’d have thought (being actual royalty and all) that the Duchess Of Cambridge may have felt more at home ‘upstairs’ with the Lords and Ladies of Downton Abbey, rather than taking a tour of the servants' quarters.
But that’s exactly what she did this morning, visiting the Ealing Studios in west London (where most of Downton’s ‘downstairs’ scenes are filmed) in one of her last public appearances before she heads off on maternity leave.
Kate chose a cream dress coat by high-street maternity label Jojo Maman Bebe, which at £69 is a bit of a bargain. She went for a head-to-toe monochrome look with black pumps by Jimmy Choo and a coordinating black clutch. See all the pictures in the gallery above and chart the Duchess' favourite fashion brands, here.
Executive producer Liz Trubridge led Kate on a tour of the studios, meeting with the ITV series’ creator Lord Julian Fellowes before exploring the hair and make-up trailers, and prop stores, as well as watching the show's costume designers at work.
The Duchess also met with key cast members Dame Maggie Smith (who plays Lady Violet Crawley the Dowager Countess of Grantham) as well as ‘downstairs’ staff like Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes), Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore) and Sophie McShera (Daisy Mason).
Kensington Palace has kept fans updated all morning with a live stream of insider snaps. We love this shot of Kate with lady's maid Anna Bates (played by Joanne Froggatt) and Lady Mary Crawley (played by Michelle Dockery in full flapper dress).
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
When she arrived on the set this morning, Kate was presented with flowers by four-year-old Zac Barker, who plays Lady Mary's son George (a character named after the first royal baby, no less).
Team Downton tweeted their excitement before she arrived:
‘We're all rather excited truth be told! #Downton RT @h2hg: #duchessatdownton just heard arrival in 12 minutes!’ they wrote on the official account.
Kate and William are both said to be huge fans of the show, and reportedly took a private tour of Highclere Castle in Hampshire (where Downton’s ‘upstairs’ scenes are filmed) with the whole Middleton family last year.
-
Zendaya's reaction to awkward kissing question during Challengers interview has gone viral
'Uncomfortable' doesn't begin to cover it
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William feels 'immense responsibility' amid Kate and Charles cancer diagnoses
He has a lot on his plate
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Taylor Swift just teased a 'timetable' for her new album release
The wait is torture
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
How Kate Middleton goes against 'royal traditions' when it comes to parenting
"This is a trait that has been unheard of with previous royal parents."
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Why Princess Charlotte will not become a Duchess when she gets older
Did you know this?
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Kate's concerned words to William when she introduced Prince Louis just hours after his birth
Did you know this?
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Kate Middleton was warned not to have another child before announcing pregnancy with Prince Louis
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Kate Middleton originally had a completely different name in mind for Prince George
Who knew?!
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Why experts believe that Kate Middleton has a 'hands-off' approach to parenting
The Princess of Wales often breaks royal parenting traditions
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
Why William won't have to follow this travel rule when he becomes King - but Kate will
Interesting...
By Jadie Troy-Pryde
-
This is where each member of the royal family went to university
By Jadie Troy-Pryde