Kate Middleton Taking Flying Lessons; Royals Take Public Transportation on Poppy Day
Duchess Kate Middleton revealed this week that she is actually taking flying lessons, quite possibly with the hope of obtaining her pilot's license. She and Prince William mingled with the public during a special event celebrating London Poppy Day.
"My grandfather flew planes," Kate told a passenger aboard the double-decker Routemaster bus she and William took in honor of the day. "I've had a few lessons on fixed wing."
The royals decided to take the bus to their official event and meet some of the citizens in an effort to raise money for the British Royal Legion. They enjoyed themselves a great deal and shared information, not only about Kate's flying plans but about the hottest topic right now, son George.
"He's half asleep," Kate joked.
"He's behaving himself this morning," William added. The youngest prince stayed home with Nanny Webb while his parents were out and about.
William and Kate are not the first royals to use public transportation; Queen Elizabeth famously took the bus on a trip to the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge earlier this year. Prince Charles tried out a new, eco-friendly bus and has encouraged people to abandon their cars in order to reduce carbon emissions. He favors public transportation and walking in order to save the environment.
"It's very sociable!" William said of his time on the bus. "Although I suppose everyone's got their earphones in."
"It's quite nice being in one place," he added when asked about life at Kensington Palace. However, he did add that he misses working for the Royal Air Force's Search and Rescue team.
While William and Kate were socializing on the bus, Princes Philip and Harry laid wreaths in honor of fallen soldiers at Westminster Abbey. It was the first time that Harry joined his grandfather at the traditional ceremony, surprising those in attendance. The tradition used to be performed by the Queen Mother.
