How Kate Middleton Refused To Upgrade Commercial Airline Ticket During Caribbean Trip

Kate Middleton reportedly had the opportunity to upgrade her economy flight ticket to the Caribbean to a first-class ticket, but she refused to do so.

According to The Telegraph, the Duchess of Cambridge was traveling to the island of Mustique in the Grenadines with Prince William in 2008. The royal couple took a British Airways flight to the destination, and they only used a private jet to reach the secluded island of Mustique.

A cabin crew for British Airways reportedly asked Middleton if she would like to be upgraded to first-class without any cost, and the future Queen immediately refused. The mom of three also asked the cabin crew to call her by her nickname, Kate.

Since the royal couple’s flight took place in 2008, this means that Middleton wasn’t an official member of the royal family yet. And as such, she must have refused the offer for fear that she would be criticized for her decision.

“She may be dating the future King but she's so down-to-earth. It’s the first time we have had a passenger turn down the chance of an upgrade,” a source said.

However, it is also very important to note that Middleton didn’t change her habit of flying commercial even after she married Prince William. In 2013, the Duchess of Cambridge also took a British Airways flight with Prince George to St. Lucia.

And in 2016, Middleton embarked on her first solo trip to Rotterdam via a British Airways flight. The future Queen was accompanied by a group of bodyguards, and she reportedly sat in the front row during the 50-minute flight.

But despite the previous praise that Middleton received, she was still accused of committing a PR stunt. She and Prince William flew to Balmoral on Thursday, and they were photographed taking a budget flight.

Royal critics couldn’t help but accuse the royal couple of trying to fly commercial on purpose. After all, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were recently criticized for riding a private jet during their vacation.