- Royal couple travelled on 1960s Routemaster bus to High Street Kensington station where they met military personnel
- William and Kate swamped by members of public taking photographs as they walked to the station's entrance hall
- Kate today revealed she has had flying lessons - to follow in footsteps of late grandfather Peter Middleton, RAF hero
- Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry carried out first joint engagement at field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey
- 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters hit capital's streets today for London Poppy Day
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have joined actress Barbara Windsor aboard a classic London bus to mark London Poppy Day.
The Windsors travelled on a 1960s Routemaster bus to High Street Kensington station where they surprised military personnel and volunteers supporting the Royal British Legion.
The couple chatted and laughed with Ms Windsor- the RBL's Poppy Day Ambassador - as they rode to the station, where they were mobbed by delighted crowds.
Ms Windsor asked after baby George as the trio took the five minute journey from the palace. Kate replied: 'He's half asleep,' with William adding: 'He's behaving himself this morning.'
William and Kate had earlier boarded the bus at Kensington Palace with dozens of RBL supporters including the actress and newsreader Alastair Stewart.
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, ride with television personality Barbara Windsor on a 1960s Routemaster bus as they meet London Poppy Day staff and volunteers in central London today
William and Kate had earlier boarded the bus at Kensington Palace with dozens of RBL supporters including the actress and newsreader Alastair Stewart
Ms Windsor asked after baby George as the trio took the five minute journey from the palace. Kate replied: 'He's half asleep,' with William adding: 'He's behaving himself this morning'
Kate, wearing a red LK Bennett coat, spoke with Corporal Steve Johnson, an RAF recruitment officer from Newcastle, who is busking at Tube stations across London to raise funds for the appeal
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge surprised hundreds of commuters today as they joined poppy sellers at a London Tube station in High Street Kensington
Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters are hitting the capital's streets today for the Royal British Legion (RBL) appeal ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The Duchess of Cambridge meets with military personnel, staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion at Kensington High Street
William appears to be sharing a joke with an onlooker as the couple were swamped by members of the public taking photographs as they walked along the high street to the station's entrance hall
As they approached the station's entrance, they were introduced to a line-up of Poppy Day supporters including volunteers and military personnel.
Kate, wearing a red LK Bennett coat, spoke with Corporal Steve Johnson, an RAF recruitment officer from Newcastle, who is busking at Tube stations across London to raise funds for the appeal.
'Kate asked what kind of music I'd been playing,' he said. 'She asked me to play but then said don't because it's too busy.
The Duchess of Cambridge meets members of the Poppy Girls, who have produced the appeal's official single The Call (No Need To Say Goodbye), including 17-year-old Charlotte Mellor, who was on crutches after a fall
Prince William leans into share a joke with a giggling member of the group. All funds from the sales will go towards the national Poppy Appeal fund-raising target of £37 million to allow the RBL to carry out its vital work
The Royal couple met with former and serving soldiers at Kensington Palace and also on High Street Kensington
Kate delighted members of the public with the surprise appearance. Sisters Lisa and Sina Durchstecher, from Germany, were walking past the station when the royal couple emerged: 'It was a dream, we¿re so happy'
Another volunteer, who asked not to be named, said she had never seen the poppy design worn by the Duchess who appeared to have used three poppies to create one emblem
'Lots of people are ecstatic to see them.'
The Duke and Duchess also chatted with retired volunteer Tim Connolly who has been selling poppies at the station after nearly 40 years raising funds for the appeal.
'They asked how the appeal was going and whether we were getting support from the public,' he said.
'The answer is we're getting a lot of support. The public is responding when they see uniformed personnel out collecting for the appeal.'
Another volunteer, who asked not to be named, said she had never seen the poppy design worn by the Duchess who appeared to have used three poppies to create one emblem.
The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by Prince Harry during their visit to the Field of Remembrance. Westminster Abbey, London, to mark London Poppy Day
The Duke, 92, and his 29-year-old grandson each lay a Cross of Remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Grave of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars
The Duke opens the Field of Remembrance every year but it is the first time he has been joined by his grandson. The role used to be carried out by the Queen Mother
The royals each marked their respects by each laying a Cross of Remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars
The Last Post played before a two minutes' silence was held. Philip and Harry then visited the plots, meeting veterans from both past and more recent conflicts
Prince Harry meets fellow well-wishers with a smile and a handshake as he visits the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey today to mark London Poppy day
Harry, wearing a military coat and cap and holding a remembrance cross and poppy, bows his head as he makes his way to the Abbey
Prince Harry smiles as he visits the Field of Remembrance. The Prince was strikingly dressed in Household Cavalry Cloak Order, wearing a black cloak with a large red collar over his regimental dress uniform, including riding boots with spurs and black trousers with a wide red stripe
Dressed in the Household Cavalry Cloak Order and Army Air Corps beret, Harry, 29, split up from his grandfather to speak and share a joke with some of the veterans
Sisters Lisa and Sina Durchstecher, from Germany, were walking past the station when the royal couple emerged.
'It was a dream, we're so happy,' Lisa, 24, said.
'I couldn't say anything when I saw them.'
William and Kate were swamped by members of the public taking photographs as they walked along the high street to the station's entrance hall.
Earlier, they welcomed RBL supporters and members of the armed forces to Kensington Palace before boarding the classic bus.
The royal couple met staff and volunteers taking part in the Royal British Legion (RBL) appeal as they called at Kensington Palace as part of a tour across the capital on a 1960s Routemaster Bus.
Prime Minister David Cameron poses for a photograph with members of the armed forces, The Poppy Girls and supporters of the Poppy Appeal outside Downing Street today
Over the past 15 years, the Legion has called on a variety of celebrities and beneficiaries to help launch and promote the Poppy Appeal, from a wide range of locations
The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry carried out their first joint engagement as they opened the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
The royals spent nearly an hour meeting veterans and members of the Royal British Legion and Poppy Factory as they were led around the 100,000 crosses that have been planted in memory of fallen soldiers.
After arriving at the Abbey in a Rolls Royce, the pair paid their respects by each laying a small cross of remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.
Among the veterans Philip spoke to was former Japanese prisoner of war George Housego, who said he joked about how old the Duke was.
Mr Housego said: 'We’re exactly the same age - 92. When I told him who I was he said "There’s not many of you left" and I had to remind him that we’re the same age.”
Mr Housego said it was 'absolutely fantastic' that the Duke was there at his age.
'It was a surprise to have Harry here and a surprise to have Philip here really,' he added.
The Duke opens the Field of Remembrance every year but it is the first time he has been joined by his grandson. The role used to be carried out by the Queen Mother.
Dressed in the Household Cavalry Cloak Order and Army Air Corps beret, Harry, 29, split up from his grandfather to speak to some of the veterans.
Chelsea pensioners gather to inspect Poppies at Westminster Abbey. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to welcome military supporters into their palace grounds to mark London Poppy Day
The 300 retired servicemen, and six women, live at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. It was founded by King Charles II in 1682
Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters will hit the city's streets for the eighth annual event ahead of Remembrance Day to commemorate the end of the First World War in 1918
'Harry was with us last year,' he said. 'I’ve got a lot of time for him.'
He added that Philip told him 'Sorry about yesterday', in reference to the news that a British soldier from the regiment had been killed while on patrol in Afghanistan.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Ian Michael Fisher from The 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) died in a suicide blast.
After arriving, Philip, who wore his Royal Navy day ceremonials and great coat, stood side by side with Harry as the Last Post was played before a two-minute silence was held.
The first Field of Remembrance was held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in November 1928, making 2013 the 85th year.
Remembrance crosses are provided so that ex-servicemen and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross in memory of their fallen comrades and loved ones.
Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters hit the city's streets for the eighth annual event ahead of Remembrance Day to commemorate the end of the First World War in 1918.
Fundraisers are at 80 Tube and train stations across London's transport network and at hubs including Covent Garden, where a stage has been created for military performances throughout the day.
Organisers are aiming to raise more than £1 million in a single day.
All funds will go towards the national Poppy Appeal fund-raising target of £37 million to allow the RBL to carry out its vital work.
The nation's biggest armed forces charity spends £1.6 million every week in direct welfare support and answers more than 170,000 calls for help.
A ex-soldier walks past a giant poppy on the way to the field of remembrance. Remembrance crosses are provided so that ex-servicemen and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross in memory
A cross adorned with a poppy and displaying a photo of a fallen soldier is placed next to others (left) and a cross to remember Drummer Lee Rigby (right) is laid in the Field of Remembrance. The British soldier was murdered outside Woolwich Barracks in May this year
A serviceman hammers in crosses amid the tributes and memorials at Westminster Abbey. The first Field of Remembrance was held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in November 1928, making 2013 the 85th year
Memorial crosses bearing the Royal British Legion poppy and images of fallen servicemen and women are placed in rows at the Abbey
A well wisher writes a tribute on a wooden cross to mark the ceremony
Poppies were first suggested as a symbol of Remembrance in 1918 and were adopted by the American Legion in 1920. In 1921 the British Legion adopted it and the first Poppy Appeal was born.
Members of the company of the British Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster mustered on the flight deck paying their respects by creating a bright red poppy, bowing their heads in silence
HMS Lancaster is currently on patrol in the Caribbean. The red poppy is one of the most iconic symbols of remembrance and is displayed to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives, or been injured, in the line of duty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, also bid farewell to South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye at Buckingham Palace at the end of her state visit
Note that poppies were 'sold' when the appeal started but charity legislation now requires them to be 'distributed in return for donations'.
Over the past 15 years, the Legion has called on a variety of celebrities and beneficiaries to help launch and promote the Poppy Appeal, from a wide
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