My Anglophilia was spiraling almost out of control today when I started seeing photos popping up on my feed of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, visiting the London set of Downton Abbey at Ealing Studios.  I already can’t get enough of the British Monarchy and Downton Abbey, so to combine the two today?  It was even better than seeing John Mayer on stage at the Grammy’s singing backup for Ed Sheeran – and I don’t say that easily!

It is readily known that Kate is a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and her parents and sister Pippa all visited the set at Highclere Castle back in 2011 (I believe it is only about 15 to 20 miles from their home).  I have also read that Kate looks forward to watching the Christmas episode of Downton Abbey each year on Christmas night when it makes it’s debut in the UK (of course, across the pond, we always get to see the Christmas episode a few months later).

I personally was so very excited to see photos of my favorite royal with my favorite faux-royals – I mean how much classiness is it possible to fit into one room?

This photo of Kate and Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, was tweeted more times than I can count today! Perhaps one of my favorite photos of the day!

Kate also visited the set construction department today. She always looks like she is actively engaged and asking questions. I am always so terrible at small talk so when I see photos from her events I’m always in awe of how well (it appears) that she does with it!

How great is it that Ms. Patmore and Daisy “baked” the Duchess a cake to welcome her to Downton?! So clever, and the Duchess is absolutely beaming!

Do you think Carson greeted Kate with a deep bow and a bellowing “Welcome to Downton, Milady” while looking slightly dissatisfied and nervous? I certainly hope so!

She also was able to spend some time with Mrs. Hughes! I wonder now if Kate has some major spoilers for the show. Being such a big fan of the show myself, I’m sure that if I was visiting the set, I’d want a sneak peek. But I know that Kate enjoys a surprise here and there (from what I understand she and William do not know the gender of their new baby) so perhaps she requested to not have anything spoiled for her for the upcoming season.