Kate's £3,000 helicopter trip on taxpayer... as Queen goes on £54 train

Looking chic in a grey coat flecked with sequins, the Queen arrived in London today after her extended Christmas break in Norfolk on a scheduled train service.

The cost of her first class ticket? £54.90 for a one hour 40-minute journey.

Quite a contrast, then, to the Duchess of Cambridge who made the same journey by helicopter on Sunday with a return cost to the taxpayer of around £3,000.

Scroll down for video 

The Queen arrived in London today after her extended Christmas break in Norfolk on a scheduled train service (right), with the cost of her first-class ticket at £54.90 for the one hour and 40-minute journey. In contrast, the Duchess of Cambridge (pictured on Sunday, left) took a private helicopter at a cost of £3,000 to the taxpayer

While the two trips aren't entirely comparable – not least because Kate made the journey to and from Anmer Hall, the mansion she shares with Prince William on the Queen's Sandringham estate, on the same day – the difference between their modes of transport is certainly notable.

On Sunday Kate, 34, was attending a service in London to mark the 75th anniversary of the Air Training Corps, her first engagement as its Honorary Air Commandant.

She took over the position - the first woman to do so - from Prince Philip who retired from the post after more than 60 years last month. 

It is understood she took the Queen's Flight, the distinctive burgundy helicopter used by members of the Royal Family on official engagements.

It is paid for from money given to the Queen by the Government to fund her official duties as head of state.

The aircraft landed at Kensington Palace, Kate and William's London residence, allowing Kate time to change into an Alexander McQueen suit and Lock & Co hat before heading to the engagement for 11am. 

After a lengthy festive break, the Queen looked ready for business wearing a sharp dark grey coat, matching dress, grey scarf and patent black loafers. Her Majesty looked in good spirits as she boarded the London train

Accompanied by officials and station staff, Her Majesty makes her way along Platform 1 at King's Lynn station

The 110-mile flight would take around 45 minutes. The helicopter was then seen taking off again after the engagement had concluded at 1pm, Kate having changed into a more casual outfit for travelling.

The decision to fly into Kensington Palace is not unusual as most royal flights use an area behind the palace, known as Perks Field, as a landing pad.

Royals are permitted to take flights between residences according to Buckingham Palace visits committee, although the Queen regularly choses to travel to and from Sandringham by train.

In contrast, the 89-year-old Queen boarded the 10.54am train from King's Lynn station – the nearest to Sandringham – yesterday to Kings Cross, taking her seat in the first class carriage five minutes before departure.

Station manager Graeme Pratt said: 'It's an honour to have her use the train service . I asked her if she enjoyed her stay in Norfolk, to which she said she did.'

The Duchess of Cambridge took a helicopter to return to London from Norfolk following the Christmas break. She is pictured attending a church service to mark the 75th Anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets on Sunday

It is understood Kate took the Queen's Flight, the distinctive burgundy helicopter used by members of the Royal Family on official engagements for her trip to London. She is pictured next to the aircraft in July 2014

The Queen has been staying at Sandringham, her private country estate, since late December, although she has continued to tackle the red boxes of official papers that arrive on her desk every day.

She returns to her official residence with a busy schedule ahead of her.

Over the next two days she will undertake a series of private meetings and audiences at Buckingham Palace before embarking on a slew of public engagements.

There will also be a cluster of events to mark her 90th birthday on April 21, both around the big day itself and later in June, when the nation celebrates her official birthday.

These include a spectacular equine pageant at Windsor Castle as well as a street party in The Mall.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: The Royal Household makes careful decision about transport plans and always seeks to travel in the most appropriate way possible considering the arrangement for an official engagement.'

The aircraft landed at Kensington Palace, Kate and William's London residence, allowing Kate time to change into an Alexander McQueen suit and Lock & Co hat (pictured) before heading to the engagement for 11am