The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte surprised fellow commuters when they took a rare ride on London’s subway system during a mother-daughter outing.
The Princess of Wales, 44, and her daughter, 11, were spotted riding the Elizabeth Line on Saturday, Oct. 10, traveling alongside everyday Londoners in what is believed to be Charlotte’s first experience on the city’s famous public transit network.
Credit : Samir Hussein/WireImage
The pair, accompanied by discreet royal security, chatted with fellow passengers before getting off at Tottenham Court Road, near London’s bustling Oxford Street shopping district and Soho neighborhood.
The young princess reportedly looked “amazed” as she took in her surroundings, while Catherine briefly checked her phone, according to an eyewitness who spoke to Hello!.
“They spoke to members of the public sitting across from them. They had security with them and Catherine held Charlotte’s hand getting off at Tottenham Court Road,” the eyewitness told Hello!. “The security didn’t make it obvious they were there and they tried to make it as ‘normal’ as possible.”
“They seemed very relaxed and were chatting together, smiling,” the source added. “It was a brief interaction with people opposite them but they seemed very happy.”
Credit: princeandprincessofwales/Instagram
While Catherine and Charlotte are regularly seen together at royal engagements and family outings, it’s a rare sight to see the future queen and her daughter traveling on public transportation alongside everyday commuters.
It’s unclear where the mother-daughter duo were headed, though Tottenham Court Road is near several popular London attractions, including the British Museum, the Royal Opera House and the city’s West End theaters.
Catherine and Charlotte have enjoyed special outings together before. In 2018, the pair had a mother-daughter date at a performance of The Nutcracker at London’s Royal Opera House.
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Charlotte has a particular love of dance. In September 2024, Prince William spoke about his daughter’s interest while meeting 10-year-old student Ruby Davies.
“Charlotte loves her dancing and performing as well, so I’m going to show her your video when I get home, see where I’ve been today,” William told her.
Along with ballet, Charlotte enjoys tennis and hockey, which she plays at school. Catherine is known to be a hands-on mom, regularly cheering on Charlotte and her younger brother, Prince Louis, 8, from the sidelines at Lambrook School in Berkshire. Catherine and William, both 44, have also supported their eldest son, Prince George, 13, who recently started at Eton College.
Credit: Tim Clayton/Getty
The close-knit family frequently enjoys sporting events together, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in August and the Wimbledon tennis championships in July.
The close-knit family regularly enjoy sporting events together, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in August and the Wimbledon tennis championships in July.
Charlotte has also been there to cheer on her mom. Earlier this year, she celebrated Catherine’s completion of the grueling Three Peaks Challenge, which saw the Princess of Wales climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours.
Saturday’s subway ride also carried a special royal connection.
Credit: Jeff Holmes JSHPIX/Shutterstock
The Elizabeth Line is named in honor of Charlotte’s late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, who officially opened the railway in May 2022, just four months before her death that September.
Catherine herself is no stranger to the route. She and William rode the Elizabeth Line together in May 2023, traveling into central London for a public engagement ahead of King Charles’ coronation.
The Elizabeth Line, which connects London’s western suburbs with the city center and destinations farther east, was one of the final major public projects inaugurated by the late Queen.
