Kate’s day below stairs at Downton

WHO says the Middleton family have ideas above their station?

While the Countess of Wessex took Mexico’s First Lady, Angelica Rivera, to meet Downton Abbey’s cast at Highclere Castle near Newbury to experience life above stairs, next week the Duchess of Cambridge is off to watch the ITV drama taking shape at Ealing Studios, home to the staff quarters.

The Duchess, whose greatgrandfather was a miner, will see a scene filmed by Carson (right) and colleagues. Nonetheless, I understand that Hugh Bonneville’s Earl of Grantham will be present.

The Earl has suffered the occasional moral lapse with a woman in his pay, so let’s hope he is on his best behaviour.