The film’s plot really is as straightforward as it sounds. Set two years after the TV series ended, in 1927, the residents and staff of Downton Abbey are thrown into a frenzy by an upcoming royal visit by King George V and Queen Mary. And…

Well, and that’s it. That’s the story. But really, this simple plot was just there to drive through a mix of heart-warming and often humorous subplots with some wonderful characters that I was quite glad to meet. Sure, some of the more cliché and ridiculous moments raised a few eye-rolls, but each story was (thankfully) packaged up neatly and quickly.

Writer Julian Fellowes also tackles issues that still relevant today, such as homophobia, conflicting political ideologies and the struggles of motherhood. It’s just a pity that he ties these up without properly exploring them. But then again, I’m not really visiting Downton for the hard stuff, right?

Smith is, of course, on top form as a sharp-tongued and quick-witted Violet Crawley. “Someone must, sir… or I may never rise again,” she replies when the King asks if she needs help standing back up after a curtsey. And watching her cheekily bounce off fellow screen heroes Imelda Staunton (Lady Bagshaw) and Penelope Wilton (Isobel Crawley) causes some genuine laugh-out-loud moments.

Downton Abbey review: “I’ve never watched a Downton episode, but here’s my honest review of the movie”