Kate and Charlotte surprise commuters with Elizabeth line journey
Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte traveled on London's Elizabeth line on Saturday, surprising fellow passengers. A source said Charlotte seemed amazed as she looked around, and the pair chatted with people seated nearby while accompanied by security. Kate wore a burgundy outfit, and they left the train at Tottenham Court Road.
The outing was notable because Charlotte, 11, rarely uses public transport. She attends Year 8 at Lambrook Preparatory School in Berkshire, while royal family members usually travel by motorcade or private helicopter. Kate, 44, was once a frequent tube passenger before joining the royal family and has said she missed it.
The Elizabeth line opened in the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. William and Kate previously rode it to Soho in 2023 before King Charles’s coronation. Kate also joined Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Baker Street station in 2013 for the Underground’s 150th anniversary.
This sighting may reinforce the royal family’s approachable image and could make public transport feel more familiar or exciting for commuters. Passengers on the Elizabeth line may have experienced a memorable encounter, while royal watchers could see Charlotte’s apparent curiosity as a sign of normal childhood moments within a highly protected life. It may also prompt discussion about security and privacy when public figures travel among the public.