The Princess of Wales looked patriotic in a bespoke red Eponine coat as she stepped into Soho today.
Kate Middleton, 41, was a graceful figure in a vibrant coat with a satin blue lining that resembled a coronation bunting as she joined Prince William at the Dog and Duck pub.
The royal family once again proved its prowess in sustainable fashion when it previously donned the coat during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in 2021.
The London boutique is a favorite of the mother of three, as it’s known for taking inspiration from 1950s and 1960s silhouettes.
She paired the striking coat with a white Suzannah dress, which she previously wore at Wimbledon, and a white Mulberry bag and matching Jimmy Choo heels.
The Princess of Wales looked typically chic in a recycled bespoke red Eponine coat as she stepped into Soho
The jacket, which comes from their Fall/Winter 2018 collection, has a mandarin collar and beautiful button details.
The royal accessory with Maria Black earrings and her long dark brown locks fell loose in a center parting.
Her glamorous makeup enhanced her naturally flawless complexion and featured a subtle smokey eye.
William and Kate traveled on the Elizabeth Line from Acton Main Line station to Tottenham Court Road, the nearest stop to Soho, where they stopped for pints and a chat with the catering staff at the Dog and Duck pub.
The Prince and Princess wanted to meet and thank Transport for London (TFL) employees who will be working throughout the coronation weekend.
Asked about the royal family’s preparations for Saturday, Kate said: ‘Yes, it’s going to be a very busy time. We are coming. I still feel like we’re trying to get ducks in a row.’
After being handed over their Oyster cards by an assistant and welcomed at Acton station by TFL Commissioner Andy Lord, the pair met Carinne Spinola, a machinist, and Cameron Finch, a customer service representative, and discussed their career aspirations.
Once aboard the train, they sat with a group of TFL employees, including David Pearce, a fleet manager, Liam Grindley, a service and infrastructure manager, and Maria Serco, a maintenance engineer.
Kate Middleton, 41, cut an elegant figure in a vibrant coat with a satin blue lining that resembled a coronation bunting as she joined Prince William at the Dog and Duck pub
The Royal Family once again proved its prowess at sustainable fashion when it previously donned the coat during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in 2021
Speaking of her conversation with Miss Spinola, Kate told the group, “It’s nice to meet a female machinist, clearly a profession that women like to get into. She said the job was advertised on Mumsnet.’
It was the couple’s first trip on the Elizabeth Line, which the late Queen Elizabeth opened nearly a year ago on May 17, 2022.
Royal aides said the couple “occasionally” travel privately on the tube.
“What’s the feedback you’ve gotten since opening?” William asked.
‘Everyone loves it,’ Mr Grindley told him, explaining how it had made many trips around London shorter and easier.
‘And how green are we now,’ William asked with a laugh. “You know I have to ask that question!”
A day out in Soho! Kate and Prince William appeared in high spirits as they chatted with gamblers in the pub
The princess waved to royal fans who had gathered in Soho for the couple’s visit to the area
William learned how the line’s trains are electric, and how much of the earth excavated to build the line was moved and reused for a nature reserve. “It’s good, it’s clearly being thought about now,” he said.
Speaking to Miss Serco about the opening of the line last year, William said: ‘I can’t quite believe it’s been almost a year. It’s really nice to get the chance to see everything after my grandmother opened it.’
When asked which of them would be working this weekend, Kate asked: ‘Do you think there will be extra pressure on the service during the coronation weekend? How do you arrange that?’
One of the group then asked how the royal family’s preparations were going, and Kate replied, ‘Yes, it’s going to be a very busy time. We are coming. I still feel like we’re trying to get ducks in a row.’
After the short journey from Acton, via Paddington to Tottenham Court Road, the couple received gifts from Mr Lord – a plaque of a TFL Roundel, or ‘Crowndle’ as Mr Lord described it, inscribed ‘King Charles III’. and a TFL roundel lightbox for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Prince and Princess wanted to express their appreciation for catering staff in the city who work on Bank Holiday
Kate was beaming as she greeted a royal fan who was accompanied by her adorable dog on a visit to Soho today
Kate seemed excited as she posed for a selfie with a member of the public during the royal visit today
The princess was animated as she chatted with royal fans who had been waiting to meet her outside the pub, posing for selfies
Dozens of stunned onlookers then rushed to the escalator with their phones to film the pair as they ascended the escalator.
After the couple left the station, Mr Lord said: ‘It was wonderful to welcome them on their first visit to the Elizabeth Line. It is approaching the anniversary of the Queen’s opening and they were very impressed.’
Miss Serco said of William: ‘He was very interested in the technology, how we put the concrete in, the internships and training we offer. And I told him how much interest we’ve had from other countries around the world. It was really nice to thank them for all the royal family endorsement of the Elizabeth Line. We always knew we had their support. We feel the link with the royal family.’
Kensington Palace also invited tube and train enthusiast Francis Bourgeois, whose real name is Luke, to ride the train with William and Kate as observers.
He has more than a million followers on Instagram and royal aides said it was hoped he would bring the experience to a “younger audience.”
William and Kate then walked the streets of London to the Dog & Duck Pub to hear from staff on how it is preparing for the coronation weekend and to meet with representatives of other hospitality and leisure companies in the area.
The pair were served pints of cider – and Kate took a sip. William also pulled a pint of special coronation beer behind the bar brewed by Nicholson’s – aptly named Kingmaker Pale Ale.
He got the honor of pulling the first pint.