Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge has made one of her last public visits before the royal birth, to the Ealing Studios set of Downton Abbey.
The cast of much-loved ITV1 drama Downton Abbey received a visit from the VIP fan on Thursday (March 12) as they filmed a scene in the servants' quarters for series 6.
Dressed in a cream-white full length coat, a heavily pregnant Kate Middleton was welcomed to Ealing Studios by the show’s creator and writer Lord Julian Fellowes.
Kate was introduced to members of the cast, including Hugh Bonneville (Earl of Grantham), Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Grantham), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary), Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes), Rob James-Collier (Thomas), Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore) and Sophie McShera (Daisy).
She also watched from the sidelines as a scene from the servants' quarters, which will feature in the next series, was filmed.
The Duchess was given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour by executive producer, Liz Trubridge, and saw the construction workshops and prop stores as well as the make-up artists at work.
She famously confessed she and husband, Prince William, are huge fans of Downton Abbey and watch it every Sunday.
Ealing Studios is one of the oldest continuously working studio facilities in the world, with films having been produced there since 1902.
The studios are around 60 miles from Highclere Castle, in Hampshire, where most of the ‘downstairs’ scenes, such as the kitchen and the servants’ quarters are filmed.
Before leaving, Kate attended a brief reception to meet production, editorial, and Ealing Studios staff.
She then joined the cast members for an official photograph in the Servants Hall where a commemorative plaque to mark her visit was unveiled.
