UPDATE: Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. ET
The tale of Prince William's commercial flight adventure just keeps getting better. On his return flight to New York, another passenger tweeted that Prince William was aboard his flight. The passenger in question -- CNN's Anderson Cooper.
Prince William just got on my DC shuttle flight— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) December 8, 2014
Original story:
The royal family is just like us.
Britain's Prince William arrived at the White House on Monday for his first official visit in less-than-regal style: He flew aboard a commercial flight.
Prior to sitting down for a chat with President Barack Obama, Prince William boarded a US Airways flight from New York to Washington, D.C., much to the surprise of his fellow passengers. One of them managed to snap a photo.
Flying with Prince William to DC !! #PrinceWilliam #DukeofCambridge #USAirways @AmericanAir @USAirways pic.twitter.com/2roooh73je— Willy Pumarol (@willypumarol) December 8, 2014
But the prince did fly first-class, apparently accompanied by bodyguards and personnel. Based on the timing of his arrival, it appears Prince William travelled aboard US Airways Flight 2171, which has a small first-class section divided from the economy class by a barrier.
Prince William without his wife, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, leaving her behind in New York. Kate Middleton is currently pregnant with their second child and will spend Monday with the wife of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chirlane McCray, touring a childcare center in the city.
The pair are in the U.S. for a three-day visit. It is the first time Prince William will meet with Obama since 2011, when the president visited Buckingham Palace.
Got 'Em! Welcome to DC Prince William pic.twitter.com/6XkTSK1jS8— Haley Dover (@HaleyDoverJC) December 8, 2014
Had to lighten this one up a bit. Prince William is the the District! pic.twitter.com/u86OilSPKx— Haley Dover (@HaleyDoverJC) December 8, 2014
The British Royal family have their own fleet of aircrafts for travel in the UK and Europe.
After touching down in D.C., Prince William took a tour of the White House and met with Obama in the Oval Office.
World's fastest photo op. Pleasantries exchanged. News not committed. pic.twitter.com/dFRRPdh64n— Dan Roberts (@RobertsDan) December 8, 2014
Obama & Prince William ignored qs from press corps; POTUS deflected w "good to see you" response #RoyalVisitUSA pic.twitter.com/viLmmo5UNa— Carol Lee (@carol_e_lee) December 8, 2014
Prince William is scheduled to hold a separate meeting with Vice President Joe Biden later in the day, after a visit to the World Bank where he will be speaking about the illegal wildlife trade.