Hugh Bonneville ‘has had a series of dates with actress Claire Rankin’ just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams

Hugh Bonneville has gone on a series of dates with Canadian actress Claire Rankin, just months after his split from wife Lulu Williams.

The Downton Abbey star, 60, reportedly spent time with Claire, 53, at his London flat, as well as an evening at the luxurious Broadwick Soho Hotel.

According to The sunHugh 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 actor Josh Randall, who appeared alongside Hugh in the American sitcom Courting Alex almost twenty years ago.

Claire shared photos from her recent trip to London to her Instagram account, but Hugh isn’t in them.

The Downton Abbey star, 60, reportedly spent 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 walking through central London said: ‘Hugh and Claire looked so happy together, they couldn’t stop smiling.

“They seemed like any other couple and seemed to really enjoy each other’s company.”

Hugh recently gave a talk to the young winners of a BBC writing competition, with the publication reporting that Claire was in the audience.

On Wednesday they are said to have enjoyed dinner with Hugh’s Downton co-star Michelle Dockery.

On Friday, Claire shared a photo she took at the airport as she prepared to return to Canada.

The actress, who hails from Prince Edward Island, began acting in Shakespeare plays in the 1990s, appearing in shows like Ally McBeal, Without A Trace and House.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Hugh Bonneville for comment.

A spokesperson for Hugh confirmed in September that he and his ex Lulu, who lived together in their West Sussex home for 25 years, were ending their marriage.

Claire shared photos from her recent trip to London to her Instagram account, but Hugh isn’t in them

Hugh also took the actress to an event at Buckingham Palace, where she met Queen Camilla

Claire was previously married to actor Josh Randall (pictured together in 2001)

Josh and Hugh appeared together in the American sitcom Courting Alex almost twenty years ago

However, it seems that the divorce did not go smoothly. A source revealed: ‘It’s clear Lulu feels like 20 years of marriage counts for nothing.’

Lulu often accompanied her husband to premieres and movie sets and her recent absence led to rumors that the couple was having problems.

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 ‘base’ and ‘anchor’ and praised his wife as the backbone of their household.

A source told The Sun: ‘Hugh has been away from home a lot this year filming. He lost some weight this summer, he looked neat, 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 in their West Sussex home for 25 years, had ended their marriage (pictured together in 2017).

The pair met as teenagers but reunited later in life and got together in their 30s, thanks in no small part to Hugh’s mother Patricia.

Hugh has said: ‘Lulu ran a marquee company… my mother called her to rent some chairs or something and said, ‘Do you remember Hugh?’

“It infuriated me that I had to give my mother all the credit 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 he cared for their son Felix, 20, who had his own on-screen success.

“Lulu’s priority was to be a foundation for Felix and me and I am completely indebted to her,” he said.