Kate Visits the Set of Downton Abbey

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On Thursday, Kate visited Ealing Studios in west London to celebrate the success of the award-winning period drama, Downton Abbey.

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Highclere Castle in Hampshire is used for exterior shots of Downton Abbey and some interior filming but a large bulk of the work for Downton is done from Ealing studios.

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The Duchess is the third royal to meet Downton stars in less than a week. Last week saw a visit from the Countess of Wessex while Charles and Camilla hobnobbed with stars on Monday

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On arrival, the Duchess was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Zac Barker, who along with twin brother Oliver plays Lady Mary's son George.

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Kate, then moved on to meet the writer and creator of the award-winning period drama, Lord Julian Fellowes along with representatives of Carnival Films and Television, ITV, NBC and Ealing Studios.

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Escorted by the series' executive producer, Liz Trubridge, she toured the studios where she saw different areas of the production process. She also met the cast and crew of the award winning series.

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Kate's first stop was hair and makeup.

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Then is was off to the costume trailer, where Jim Carter, who plays the butler Carson, was getting ready.

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Moving into the Props room, she was shown a range of items that are used in the show, including handwritten letters, newspapers, china and cutlery.

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A self-confessed fan of the ITV show, the Duchess watched a scene wearing a pair of headphones customised with the initials HRH, being filmed between actresses Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt, who play Lady Mary and her maid Anna.

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Kate then attended a brief reception and met additional cast members including Hugh Bonneville (Robert) and Elizabeth McGovern (Cora), before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the visit.

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At the end of her visit she posed for a group photo in the servants' hall with the cast, the producers and the show's historical adviser, Alastair Bruce and was given a copy of the script from Episode One, Series One, signed by all the cast, and a book on the latest series by Julian's daughter Jessica Fellowes.

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The Duchess concealed her bump in a cream, collarless coat by British maternity label Jojo Maman Bebe (£69 and sold out). This is the first time she had worn the company’s outfits on public duty. The 'Cream Princess Line Maternity Coat' features tabs on the cuffs and oversized buttons. It is a 50% Wool/50% Viscose blend.

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Completing her ensemble, Kate wore her black, suede Stuart Weitzman ‘Power’ pumps ($355), held her black, suede Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch, and her gold Annoushka diamond and pearl drop earrings.