Prince Harry hops on Routemaster to launch London Poppy Day
IT'S not often that you see royalty on public transport - but Prince Harry jumped aboard a Routemaster this morning to mark London Poppy Day.
The royal mingled with celebrities including Barbara Windsor and Joss Stone before joining veterans on the red 1960s bus.
Harry joked that the driver was "the most expensive bus driver in London today" after it pulled into the forecourt of the palace before making its way across the capital.
The prince spoke to passengers including EastEnders stars Windsor and Lacey Turner and singer Joss Stone, as well as former and serving personnel from all three branches of the military before waving off the double decker.
The Royal stop was the first on a journey across the capital from Covent Garden to Leadenhall Market to promote The Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day, which raised £1 million last year.
From the Palace the bus travelled through the streets of the capital to Downing Street, where Prime Minister David Cameron met those on board.
Ms Windsor said Harry "couldn't wait to talk to everyone in the services".
She also described how her father had explained to her why he had to fight in the war by telling her he was protecting her Jewish friends.
Ms Windsor said: ""He said 'there's a man in Germany who doesn't like them and he wants to kill them all'. He explained it like that. He said we are going over to rescue those people.
"My life's always been a part of this. He was away for four years.
"I always remember the day he came home. He was one of the last to be de-mobbed. I heard him whistling away and there he was."
Miss Turner said that the charity was hoping to raise another £1m this year.
Of meeting Prince Harry, she said: "It was amazing really. You spend so much time watching the royal family on TV and to stand next to him and shake his hand is amazing. I'm having a really good day."
The bus was driven by Sir Peter Hendy, the commissioner of Transport for London. He said: "We are having a fantastic day. I've never driven a bus into Buckingham Palace before accompanied by outriders.
"I spoke to Prince Harry. He said 'Why are you here?'
"I said 'It's because of my bus' and he said 'You're probably the most expensive bus driver in London today' and I said 'Yeah, I think I probably am'.
"It's all got a serious purpose, which is raising money for the Poppy Appeal."