Prince William and Kate Middleton (Picture: Twitter / Royal British Legion)
Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine made a surprise appearance at a London Underground station today (07.11.13)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shocked commuters when they visited High Street Kensington station to boost poppy sales.
The couple helped to promote the Royal British Legion's effort to raise £1 million for forces charities in a single day in the capital.
William and Catherine, who had left aides watching their three-and-a half-month-old son Prince George sleeping at home in Kensington Palace, hopped on a red double decker bus crammed with fundraisers for the five-minute journey down to the station.
They were joined by 'EastEnders' actress Barbara Windsor and TV newsreader Alastair Stewart.
Barbara shouted: "One more passenger please!", as William prepared to board the bus.
Prince William said: "It's very sociable. Although I suppose everyone's got their earphones in."
The couple were then mobbed by travellers emerging from the Underground station's platforms into the entrance hall.
According to the Daily Express newspaper, one woman begged for a photograph while being held back by police.
She shouted: "Oh my God, oh my God. Please, please just one picture," as she brandished her camera phone.
The second in line to the throne, who left his operational role in the RAF two months ago for a "transitional year of royal duties mixed with extended charity projects", told well-wishers he was missing flying search and rescue helicopters but was enjoying the young family's more settled life in the 21-room apartment at Kensington Palace.
He said: "It's quite nice being in one place."
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