The Ritz Hotel London England

Bowing out: Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley looks befitting of the show's final episode

On a highly emotional occasion, many members of the show’s production team were dressed in 1920s fashion to appear as extras during filming in the Ritz’s lavish ballroom. And vintage cars – including a Rolls-Royce – were parked outside in Piccadilly.

Actress Laura Carmichael – who plays Lady Edith – was there for the final hours of the shoot, staying from midnight until 6am.

And an emotional Lord Fellowes, the show’s creator, was on hand to watch the camera roll one last time.

Speaking at a preview of the sixth and final series on Thursday, Jim Carter – who plays butler Carson – divulged details of the last shoot, saying: ‘Midnight at the Ritz – that’s the very end.’

Our exclusive pictures reveal how the curtain came down on the saga of the Crawley family and their staff.

High society: Extras arrive at The Ritz, clad in 1920s outfits, for filming of the last episode

Old and new: Extras cross the road to the hotel where a vintage Rolls-Royce was waiting (below)

Vintage: A Rolls-Royce pulls up outside the famed Ritz hotel in London where the final filming of Downton Abbey took place

The Clarence pub opposite the hotel acted as a base for the extras and make-up teams.

Clubland revellers were startled to see dozens of women in curlers troop across the busy road to the hotel in the early hours.

The event marked the end of a highly emotional week for the cast and crew. On Monday night, Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley, filmed her last ever scene in the servants’ hall. And on Wednesday, Carson and the rest of the ‘downstairs’ staff also had their final scenes.

A source at the shoot said: ‘Some of the cast filled up and the sound guy and one of the grips – two big blokes – were in floods of tears.’

The scenes are likely to appear in a feature-length Christmas special, marking the end of the entire saga.