Hugh Bonneville has been on a series of dates with Canadian actress Claire Rankin just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams.
The Downton Abbey star, 60, has reportedly been spending time with Claire, 53, at his London flat as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel.
According to The Sun, Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla as well as dinner with his Downton co-stars.
Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall who appeared alongside Hugh in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago.
Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them.
Hugh Bonneville has been on a series of dates with Canadian actress Claire Rankin just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams (pictured with Lulu in 2019)
The Downton Abbey star, 60, has reportedly been spending time with Claire, 53, (pictured) at his London flat as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel
An onlooker who saw the pair strolling in central London said: ‘Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn’t stop smiling.
‘They looked liked any other couple and seemed to be really enjoying each other’s company.’
Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience.
On Wednesday, they were said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh’s Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.
On Friday, Claire shared a photo taken at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.
The actress, from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 90s and appeared on shows including Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.
has contacted representatives of Hugh Bonneville for comment.
A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage.
Claire has shared snaps of her recent trip to London on her Instagram account, however Hugh has not been featured in them
Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace where she met Queen Camilla
Claire was previously married to the actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)
Josh and Hugh appeared together in US sitcom Courting Alex nearly 20 years ago
Hugh recently delivered a reading to the young winners of a BBC writing competition with Claire in the audience
However, it seems the split has not been smooth sailing, with a source revealing: ‘It is clear that Lulu feels as if 20-odd years of marriage counts for nothing.’
Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and film sets and her recent absence sparked rumours the pair were having troubles.
The actor, famous for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, had never shied away from expressing his love for Lulu, having previously called her his ‘bedrock’ and ‘anchor’ and crediting his wife for being the backbone of their household.
A source told The Sun: ‘Hugh has been away from home filming a lot this year. He has lost a bit of weight this summer, he was looking trim, tanned and relaxed.’
The heartbreak came just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.
A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together for 25 years at their home in West Sussex, ended their marriage (pictured together in 2017)
The pair met as teens but reconnected later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh’s mother Patricia.
Hugh has said: ‘Lulu was running a marquee company… my mother rang her to hire some chairs or something and said, ”Do you remember Hugh?”
‘It did infuriate me that I had to give full credit to my mum for reintroducing us.’
The former couple later tied the knot in November 1998.
In previous interviews Bonneville claimed he was ‘completely indebted’ to his wife for the way she supported him throughout his career while looking after their son Felix, 20, who himself has enjoyed success on the screen.
‘Lulu’s priority has been to be a bedrock for Felix and me and I’m completely indebted to her,’ he said.