Princess Kate surprised onlookers with her unlikely choice of transport as she headed off on a summer break with her youngest children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in tow

Princess Kate and Prince William might have access to private jets and chauffeured cars but they prefer a far more low-key mode of transport when they travel to Balmoral.

Traditionally, the royal family all head to Scotland to spend quality time together in August as they make the most of the summer holidays. The late Queen would host her loved ones at the Castle – said to be her favourite residence – and it’s a tradition that King Charles has continued. Given Princess Kate’s cancer treatment, it’s not known whether the Wales family will be able to join the monarch this year. But if they do, they will likely opt for budget-friendly transportation.

In 2022, the Princess, 42, was spotted taking an economy flight to Scotland with her two youngest children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, while Prince William travelled with Prince George. According to a fellow passenger on the economy flight, Kate was surprisingly down-to-earth. They shared on TikTok, via the Express: “On a flight to Scotland, Kate Middleton, both kids, nanny and security 2 rows in front of me. Could get a private jet or helicopter but keeping it simple, flying economy.

Princess Kate was spotted with her two youngest children by surprised onlookers (Image: PA)

“She even got up halfway through the flight to get her daughter’s iPad. And yes she was stunning, even gave me a smile while looking back at the row behind her to talk to her son. No one on board took any photos or videos. Just a mum taking her children on holiday to see grandmother, but there was a buzz on board.”

William and Kate have travelled to Balmoral every year since they got married in 2011. Should they decide to head to Scotland this month, it will be the furthest trip Kate has taken since her diagnosis. The Princess has been largely out of the spotlight, balancing her time between the family home in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, and Anmer Hall, their holiday property in Norfolk.

Since announcing her cancer diagnosis, the Princess has made two public appearances; at Trooping the Colour in June, and at Wimbledon in July. And she delighted fans on Sunday when she appeared alongside her rugged-looking husband in a video message to congratulate Team GB following the Olympic Games. Kate’s appearances have led to speculation that she will soon return to work. But in June, the Princess did confirm that she wasn’t “out of the woods” just yet and had “good days and bad days”.

Kensington Palace has also reiterated that she is not expected to come back until her medical team advises her to do so. “We have been really clear that [Kate] needs the space and the privacy to recover right now,” a palace spokesperson said in June. “She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.” But if she is able to travel to Balmoral to make the annual trip with her family, it will be further reassurance that the Princess is making good progress.