Historical drama is set in 1927 and revolves around a visit by the King and Queen to the English country house of Robert and Cora Crawley in the Yorkshire countryside. Their visit turns the lives of the Crawley and their servants into disarray. Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, is perturbed that Maud, Lady Bagshaw, who is Queen Mary's lady-in-waiting, is in the tour. Robert is Maud's distant cousin and closest relative, and the two families have long disputed who should inherit Maud's estate. The royal couple bring their own royal household and the staff at Downton Abbey suddenly find themselves deprived of their duties.