Kate Middleton was ‘charming and gracious’ during her visit to the Downton Abbey set, says Michelle Dockery – who admits she felt like a ‘court jester’

DOWNTON Abbey actress Michelle Dockery has recalled the moment she met Kate Middleton while rehearsing scenes with co-star Joanne Froggatt.

The Duchess of Cambridge visited the set of Downton Abbey in 2015 while pregnant with Princess Charlotte and Michelle revealed it was both "amazing" and "nerve-wracking".

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon yesterday, Michelle – who played Lady Mary – described Kate as "so charming, gracious and beautiful".

Explaining she was rehearsing scenes when Kate arrived on set, she said: "The day the Princess came to set. It was amazing.

"Joanne Froggatt, who plays Anna, and I were rehearsing a scene and that moment she came on set.

"She was our audience and I thought this must be what it was like to be a court jester back in the day, so we were quite nervous.

"But she was so charming and gracious and beautiful, she was mesmerising and that was such a special day for everyone."

In 2015, Prince William revealed the show was one of the couple's favourites.

In a clip from BAFTA, shared before the final episode of Downton, William said: "Few British series have ever managed to achieve such worldwide acclaim and many millions of people, myself included, have enjoyed the life and times of the Crawley family.

"My congratulations to everyone at Downton Abbey and as a fan, thank you."

In other royal news, we told you how Simon Pegg joked he’d ‘broken the Queen’ after she struggled to start a conversation with him in 2010 – and claims to have ‘made her cry’ with his performance.

We also revealed Meghan Markle’s mum Doria Ragland has inspired a new saucy novel called Royal Holiday – and she has ‘affair with Queen’s private secretary’.

And we showed you Princess Charlotte’s favourite TV programme is vintage favourite The Clangers, royal editor claims.

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