A Right Royal Visit

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VIP gets tour of Downton Abbey and Ealing Studios

The Duchess of Cambridge - Kate Middleton - who's said to be a keen fan of the show - will get a tour of the 'downstairs' bit of Downton Abbey today.

She'll be visiting the indoor/servants quarters - filmed at Ealing Studios. The outdoor/ 'upstairs' shots are filmed at Highclere Castle, in Hampshire.

Ealing Studios, which opened in 1902, is the oldest continuously working studio for film production in the world, and is best known for classic Ealing comedies including The Ladykillers and Kind Hearts And Coronets. It's still a film studio and is also home to the Met Film school.

The Duchess - who is eight months pregnant with her second child - will meet Lord and Lady Grantham -Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern - along with other cast members and will watch a scene from the next series being filmed.

Kensington Palace said the visit had been arranged to "celebrate the success of the award-winning production", which is one of the most popular TV shows in the world, broadcast in 250 territories.

Creator and writer of the show, Lord Fellowes, will greet the Duchess who will tour the make-up, costume and set-building departments of the studios, before a reception to meet production, editorial, and Ealing Studios staff. .

The ITV period drama is currently filming its sixth series and it's been announced there will be a Christmas special.

 

12th March 2015