It may have only been a week since its eagerly-awaited third instalment (finally!) landed onto Netflix, but fans of romantic period-drama Bridgerton all over the world have well and truly lost the plot.

The star-studded series – each of which follows a fresh batch of beautifully-donned debutants on the hunt to bag themselves an eligible hubby, with the assistance of the gossip-obsessed Queen – has had us hooked from day one.

Namely, due to the existence of one particularly meddlesome character.

If you’ve been a Bridgerton fanatic since it first landed on our streaming service screens all the way back in 2020, you’ll undoubtedly be well aware of whom I’m referring to…

I am, of course, referring to Lady Whistledown – an anonymous author whose weekly gossip pamphlets often sway the opinions of The Ton’s highest class busybodies when it comes to the current social happenings, much to Queen Charlotte’s dismay.

Throughout the entirety of the first series, fans were DESPERATE to know the identity of the 19th century’s answer to Gossip Girl.

It’s only the final episode of the debut series that finally reveals Lady Whistledown’s identity to the viewer – leaving us completely shook and the rest of the cast totally unaware.

But now, following the arrival of the third instalment – in which only Eloise Bridgerton has learned of the mystery author’s identity – Nicola Coughlan (who played Penelope Featherington), has explained there was actually a major clue in the very first scene of Bridgerton, which we all missed.

The recently-added third series has sent viewers wild. (Netflix)

If you haven’t yet sank your teeth into this ballroom blitz, you might want to avert your eyes now; MAJOR spoilers ahead.

By now, we, of course, know that Penelope Featherington is in fact Lady Whistledown, and writing on Twitter recently, Nicola asked fans: “Ok I’m just curious, has anyone spotted the massive Easter Egg about Penelope in the very first scene of Bridgerton?”

And fans made all kinds of guesses, but one follower nailed it, replying: “A quill?”

Reposting the tweet, Nicola confirmed: “When I filmed Penelope’s first scene I chose a prop, a massive massive feather that looked a lot like [a quill].”

We never spotted it, but we’re so glad Nicola decided to include this little clue.

The latest instalment of Bridgerton follows fan-favourite Penelope’s desperate bid to find her happily ever after – despite having ‘made her debut’ all the way back at the beginning of series one.

Penelope could be seen holding a quill in the very first scene. (Netflix)

With the help of long-term family friend Colin Bridgerton, however – who promises to coach her in the ways of flirting – Pen is initially successful, until the kinship between her and Colin begins to blossom into something much deeper…