There aren’t many people who can say they’ve met Duchess Kate, but Lesley Nicol and Raquel Cassidy, stars of the beloved series Downton Abbey, were lucky enough to cross paths with the Duchess of Cambridge. During a visit to the show’s set, Kate stopped by and spent some quality time with members of the cast and crew.
Lesley, who plays the role of Beryl Patmore, fondly recalled the experience to Closer Weekly. “She walked in like royalty—proper and poised—but within minutes, you could tell she was genuinely interested in everything we do,” she shared. “She wasn’t just putting on a show. Kate was warm, curious, and had a real connection with everyone she spoke to. We spent a good amount of time chatting, and it was truly memorable.”
When Kate Came to Downton Abbey

Raquel Cassidy, who plays Miss Baxter on the show, described the encounter as nothing short of surreal. “Meeting Kate was like stepping into a dream,” she said. Raquel has been part of the Downton Abbey family since 2013, so getting to meet someone of Kate’s stature felt like the ultimate recognition of her work.
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At the time of the visit, Kate was heavily pregnant with Princess Charlotte. Despite her condition, she made sure to engage warmly with everyone around her. “She was incredibly graceful and had a great sense of humor,” Raquel added. “You know how we often forget the art of conversation these days? Kate had that in spades. She had to meet around 20 groups of us and manage to connect meaningfully with each one. It’s a skill that takes practice, and she absolutely nailed it.”
Kate's Royal Charm



