Mr. Carson Makes the Staff Clean Up For a Royal Visit to “Downton Abbey”

Splash News, i-Images

Today, the Duchess of Cambridge visited the “Downton Abbey” set at Ealing Studios in London, where she toured the trailers, set and accepted a cake made by Daisy (Sophie McShera) and Mrs. Patmore (Leslie Nicol).

“She spent the longest time in the kitchen, so me and Lesley [Nicol, who plays head cook Mrs. Patmore] are taking that as a compliment,” McShera told People Magazine’s Simon Perry.

And a special cake to commemorate the visit #DuchessAtDownton pic.twitter.com/Zzm2QGveUI

— Emily Nash (@emynash) March 12, 2015

While chatting with Carson (Jim Carter), Catherine remarked that he looked “very dashing” in his costume, and asked if it was his usual attire. “This is my relaxing gear,” he joked, according to ITV. Photographer Chris Jackson took some fantastic photos of Catherine’s visit, where she got a sneak peek of season six filming.

The Duchess of Cambridge Seemed to LOVE her visit to @DowntonAbbey at @EalingStudios this morn #DuchessAtDownton pic.twitter.com/rfAsZSHbMZ — Chris Jackson (@ChrisJack_Getty) March 12, 2015

Senior Sky News editor Paul Harrison tweeted that Catherine may have visited the set in the past with her family.

#royal My understanding is this is not #Kate‘s first visit to the #Downton set – the Middleton family was given a private tour last year

— Paul Harrison (@SkyNewsEditor) March 12, 2015

Catherine also accepted a toy train from the heir to Downton, George, for her own future heir, whom she told crowds in Margate yesterday was “running around quite a lot,” according to People’s Simon Perry.

George hands The Duchess a wooden train for Prince George #DuchessAtDownton @EalingStudios pic.twitter.com/vRHwhkSIkK — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) March 12, 2015

For the visit, Catherine wore a very well-priced cream coat from Jojo Maman Bebe‘s “Princess” line, according to What Kate Wore.

Daniel Leal-Olivas / i-Images,

“Was jail dreadful, Anna?”
“No, ma’am.  It was lovely.”

Tomorrow, Catherine and Prince William will join other members of the royal family for a Service of Commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

On March 17th, William and Catherine will attend the St Patrick’s Day Parade, Mons Barracks, Aldershot.

If history is any reminder, Catherine will step away from public duties to await the birth of her second child, due next month.