The Queen arrived at King’s Lynn’s newly-refurbished station just before 12.30pm today where a Range Rover was waiting for the final 10 miles of the journey to Sandringham.
Some passengers did a double take as the unmistakable figure, clad in a checked grey jacket and head scarf, alighted from the train with the Duke of Edinburgh.
Earlier, there was speculation that the Queen would be leaving London for Norfolk this morning after the singer Adele received her MBE at Buckingham Palace from the Prince of Wales.
Security was tight at King’s Lynn station prior to her arrival, where a £2m “heritage refurbishment”, including part of the Victorian concourse known as the Royal Gate, is being carried out.
Passenger Jennifer Zorbaugh, 24, from Watlington, who was a passenger on board the train, said: “That’s really neat, it has made my day. I haven’t ever seen the Queen before only on TV.
“I’ve always really admired her, even when I lived in the United States; she does so much and works so hard even though parliament runs the country. She’s such an amazing person.”
A first class single from London to King’s Lynn is £52, reduced to £34.50 with a senior railcard. But FCC said arrangements for her ticket - which is paid for - are made with the Royal Household and cannot be discussed.
After arriving in Lynn today, the Queen was taken the last few miles up the A149 coast road to Sandringham by car.
The Queen arrives ahead of the rest of the family to oversee preparations for the festivities on her country estate.
She will begin by choosing a tree from Sandringham Sawmill, which younger members of the family will decorate.
Most Royal Family members arrive in Norfolk on Christmas Eve.
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