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

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. 

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 the publication reporting that Claire was 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. 

MailOnline 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.

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. 

Bonneville was spotted flashing a grin at Dockery’s lavish wedding to Jasper Waller-Bridge – the brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe – without his wedding ring just last week. 

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 comes just five years after the couple renewed their vows at Graceland chapel in Las Vegas.

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.