From palace to pub! Kate and William take the TUBE to Soho to join the Coronation warm-up – as Princess admits they’re still ‘getting their ducks in a row’ for King Charles’ big day
- Kate Middleton and Prince William visited Soho ahead of Coronation weekend
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Kate Middleton revealed the royals are ‘getting their ducks in a row’ for the Coronation this weekend as she and Prince William took a surprise journey on the Tube to visit a pub in Soho.
The Prince, 40, and Princess of Wales, 41, were in high spirits as they took the Elizabeth Line to the Dog & Duck Pub in London’s West End this afternoon.
They boarded the Tube at Acton Main Line in west London and chatted to Transport for London (TfL) workers about their plans for the busy bank holiday weekend when tens of thousands of people are expected in the capital.
During the trip, Kate, who used an Oyster card to tap onto the Tube, said of the Coronation weekend: ‘Yes, it’s going to be a busy time. We’re getting there. I still feel like we’re trying to get ducks in a row.’
Excited fans gathered in the street in large crowds in Soho to catch a glimpse of the couple ahead of the visit and there were huge cheers when they appeared.
The couple heard how the pub and area is preparing for the Coronation Weekend from members of staff and also met representatives from other hospitality and recreation businesses in Soho.
Prince William, 40, and Kate Middleton, 41, were getting into the party spirit today as they visited Soho ahead of the Coronation this weekend
Excited royal fans gathered in huge crowds to catch a glimpse of the couple as they arrived at the pub in Soho today
The couple travelled to the engagement on The Elizabeth Line, where they chatted to members of TFL staff
Kate was elegant as she recycled her bespoke Eponine coat for the outing, which she paired with her white midi dress from Suzannah.
The mother-of-three stepped out in a bespoke vibrant coat from Eponine, which is price on application only.
The London boutique is a favourite of the mother-of-three’s, who previously wore a £1,650 coat and a top and skirt costing £1,200 from the brand in 2016.
The Princess appeared animated as she arrived today, cutting a striking figure in a vibrant coat from London boutique Eponine.
The piece, which is from their Autumn/Winter 2018 collection, features a mandarin collar and pretty button detailing.
The thrifty royal wore the coat to visit the National Portrait Gallery last year to meet photographers featured in her Hold Still book as it topped the bestseller list on its first day.
Meanwhile she paired the bright coat with her white midi length tea dress by Suzannah.
The Princess wore her long brunette locks down for the occasion, sweeping them behind her ear to reveal her Maria Black earrings.
One excited royal fan posed for a selfie with Kate before quickly uploading it to Twitter, calling the meet up the ‘best day ever’
The excited royal fan shared the selfie with Kate with their followers on Twitter after they met the Princess in Soho
Excited fans gathered in the street in large crowds in Soho to catch a glimpse of the couple ahead of the visit
There were huge cheers for the couple as they appeared in Soho, and spent some time chatting to members of the public after their visit to the pub
Kate appeared enthusiastic as she posed for a selfie with a member of the public during the royal visit today
Kate was beaming as she greeted a royal fan who was joined by her adorable dog during a visit to Soho today
Meanwhile Prince William reached into the crowd to offer a hand to fans who were waiting in Soho
The Princess offered a wave to royal fans who had gathered in Soho for the couple’s visit to the area
Excited royal fans gathered in the street in huge fans to catch a glimpse of the couple ahead of the visit this afternoon
The couple were beaming excitement as they strolled down the street of Soho ahead of the engagement
Kate appeared animated as she arrived today, cutting a striking figure in a vibrant coat from London boutique Eponine
Kate and William waved to excited royal fans as they arrived in Soho for the engagement today (pictured)
Kate was elegant in her bespoke Eponine coat for the outing, which she paired with white heels and a smart white midi skirt
Meanwhile she kept her makeup muted for the outing, pairing a sweep of eyeliner with a nude lipstick.
Travelling by Elizabeth Line to the engagement, from Acton to Tottenham Court Road, appeared to be a subtle tribute to the late Queen, after whom the Tube line is named.
The late monarch ‘officially opened’ the Elizabeth line in May last year, in one of her final public engagements.
The line stretches from Reading, in Berkshire, and Heathrow Airport, in west London, to Shenfield, in Essex, and Abbey Wood, in south-east London.
The royal couple travelled three stops and got off at Tottenham Court Road, in the shadow of Centrepoint tower block.
The couple went on to walk to the Dog & Duck pub, which is part of the Nicholson’s group who own several pubs across the UK and this year celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Over the Coronation weekend, the collection of pubs will be hosting a number of events to celebrate.
Inside the pub, they chatted to members of staff about how they were preparing for the weekend.
Meanwhile Prince William also pulled a pint of special coronation beer, which brewed by Nicholson’s, Kingmaker Pale Ale. He was given the honour of pulling the first pint of it.
After one person said it was ‘expertly done’, the royal jokingly said: ‘No it’s not! Not too bad at drinking pints but pulling pints…’
Meanwhile Kate told him: ‘Well done!’
Upon leaving the Dog & Duck, The Prince and Princess spent some time meeting members of the public gathered outside on Frith Street.
While William shook hands with excited royal fans, Kate crouched low as she chatted to a schoolboy, who appeared to have been joined by his mother in the crowd.
The couple also posed for selfies, with one royal fan tweeting a snap with Kate afterwards and writing: ‘Best day ever!’
Yesterday, Prince William and Kate led the Royal Family in rehearsals for the Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
With just days to go until the historic event, the King was pictured beaming outside the church in central London as he arrived with the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, nine, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five.
Princess Anne and Queen Consort Camilla were there to greet the Dean of Westminster and other church officials before they went inside. The royals were also joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
It comes after thousands of personnel from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force marched from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey in the early hours of this morning as they practiced for the big day on Saturday, May 6.
The late Queen officially opened the Elizabeth Line last May in one of her final public royal engagements
Fellow commuters and travellers appeared bemused as they spotted the couple on the Elizabeth Line earlier today
The couple were in good spirits as they spoke with members of TFL while travelling to Tottenham Court Road today
Surprise! The royals appeared utterly at home on the public transport as they chatted with members of staff
The Prince and Princess of Wales were beaming as they travelled on the new underground line today, which was opened in honour of the late Queen
The Prince was animated as he chatted with members of staff on his way into Soho today (pictured)
Prince William and Kate chatted to TFL staff as they rode on the Elizabeth Line to their engagement this afternoon
Travelling in style! One bemused commuter received an unexpected surprise when the Prince and Princess strolled past him
Prince William and Kate appeared to get into the party spirit as they took the Elizabeth Line to the engagement today
The Prince and Princess of Wales were in high spirits as they took the Elizabeth Line to the Dog & Duck Pub in London’s West End today
Tap and go! Prince William and Kate showed off their skills on the London underground today as they took the Tube
The mother-of-three took The Tube in a bespoke vibrant coat from Eponine, which is price on application only
The royal wore her long brunette locks down for the occasion, sweeping them behind her ear
The couple appeared in high spirits as they left their home in Windsor ahead of the engagement in London today
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach and Gold State Coach were also used in the full-scale rehearsal shortly after midnight.
Royal fans waited for more than three hours for the parade to make a return journey down the Mall.
And commuters heading home from London Waterloo were treated to extraordinary scenes as they saw some 6,000 soldiers march through the station on their way to the rehearsals.
After the rehearsals, King Charles gave a wave to throngs of fans as he travelled back to Buckingham Palace.
Supporters cheered as his Bentley drove past. American fan Justin Klamerus, who has flown in for the Coronation from Atlanta, Georgia, told MailOnline: ‘Who would’ve thought that I would get to see the King of England so close?
‘I arrived on Monday I went straight to Windsor and did see really very much.
‘But this was absolutely amazing. It’s an experience that I will remember forever, as I’m a big fan of the royal family, and that’s why I came here.’
‘I also saw Princess Anne going by earlier and as they say, great things always come along in twos! ‘
‘But I am here to witness history being made. I wish the King all the very best. I’m sure he’ll be a great ruler for Britain.’
Around 25 tents have been set up along the Mall by fans who are camping out for the Coronation.
Among the first to take up position was careworker Lucy Edwards, 51, from Bristol, who will be joined by her 74-year-old mother Linda and teenage son Jacob tomorrow.
She said: ‘It has been very, very cold and the ground here is very hard to sleep on.
‘I have witnessed most of Charles’s life, his marriage, his divorce, and when he got married again. Now I’m here for the Coronation.
‘All of these events that made him the man that he is and he appears happy in his life. He is going to be a great King and bring the country together.’
Mother of five Sharon McEwan, 62, from Kilburn, said: ‘Hail King Charles. He is going to make the nation wonderful throughout his reign.
‘I am a regular at royal events and enjoy meeting the same people who love the royal family and meeting new people from all over the world. This will be a fantastic day.’
Faith Nicholson, 61, from Althorne, Essex, was draped in Union Jack colours and carried a Paddington Bear in honour of the Queen’s sketch with the character at her Platinum Jubilee last year.
She said: ‘There is so much to celebrate about our Royal Family. They are loved the world over, and we will see that over the next few days.
‘They are the best advert for our country. You cannot fail to love them. And Charles will make a magnificent King with his sense of fair play, and he has been a pioneer in so many ways over things like environmental concerns.
‘I have been to all the major Royal occasions and they have provided such positive memories for me as Saturday will do too.
‘It is such an incredible thing to be among many thousands of people who have the same love for the Royal family. I can’t wait for Saturday. But I’ll be here until then. ‘
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