A passenger's footage

The Princess of Wales, known as Kate, and her daughter Princess Charlotte were filmed on the Elizabeth Line on Saturday, 10 October 2026, according to reports published on 12 October. The Independent says the footage was taken by a passenger and that the pair travelled from Slough station to Tottenham Court Road. Other outlets say they boarded in west London, and all agree they got off at Tottenham Court Road in central London. Hello! reported, through a witness, that Kate looked at her phone for several minutes during the journey and that Charlotte appeared surprised by the carriage.

Security and passengers

The Independent reports that three security officials, two men and a woman, were with them, while 20 Minuten describes a low-key security team. The Independent says the pair spoke with passengers seated opposite them, whereas 20 Minuten reports that no passenger approached them during the ride. A spokesperson for the princess declined to comment on what 20 Minuten describes as a private family outing. Hello! reported that the security team tried to make the journey look as normal as possible. Reports do not say where the pair went after leaving the train.

A rare outing on public transport

Several outlets describe the trip as unusual. BFMTV reports that British media suggest it was Charlotte's first journey on public transport, and Adevarul reports that Kate gave up an official car with a driver for the ride. Adevarul also recalls that in 2013 Kate attended an event marking 150 years of the London Underground alongside Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. According to 20 Minuten, Kate and William rode the Elizabeth Line in May 2023 from Acton Main Line to a pub in Soho, ahead of the coronation of King Charles III. The Sun, cited by 20 Minuten, says Kate had used the Underground before without being recognised.

Royal precedent and comparisons

BFMTV and 20 Minuten both link the outing to Princess Diana, who took her sons William and Harry on London buses and the Underground to give them an everyday childhood. BFMTV also notes a comparison drawn with Meghan Markle, who was seen with Malala Yousafzai for tea at Claridge's in the week of 5 October. The Daily Mail, cited by BFMTV, estimated the outfit Meghan wore at 28,000 pounds (33,000 euros). The Elizabeth Line, which opened in May 2022 under Queen Elizabeth II, a few months before her death, is the route the pair used.