MILADY IN RED: Kate steps out for Poppy Day

The Duchess of Cambridge prepares to meet staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day Appeal at Kensington Palace

The royal couple travelled on a 1960s Routemaster bus to High Street Kensington station where they met military personnel and volunteers supporting London Poppy Day.

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 Royal British Legion (RBL) supporters and members of the Armed Forces to Kensington Palace before boarding the classic bus.

William, who left his post as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot in September, and Kate were greeted at the station by motorcyclists from the RBL’s Riders’ Branch.

Kate, wearing a red LK Bennett coat, spoke with Corporal Steve Johnson, an RAF recruitment officer from Newcastle, who is busking at 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.

“Lots of people are ecstatic to see them.”

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.