Kate Middleton takes £3,000 helicopter flight home while the Queen opts for the train

The Duchess of Cambridge was photographed getting ready to board a helicopter on her way home from Kensington Palace to Amner Hall in a flight that cost British taxpayers thousands of pounds. In contrast, Queen Elizabeth took the opposite trip home a day later for a fraction of the price.

According to the MailOnline, Kate was pictured preparing for her £3,000 ($4,356) trip to the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk on 7 February. The 110 mile trip, which lasted about 45 minutes to and from, was significantly more expensive than the Queen's £54.90 train trip from Norfolk to London.

Kate reportedly took the Queen's Flight, which is used by the Royal Family on official engagements and paid for by the Government to fund the Queen's official duties as head of state. MailOnline reported that the helicopter landed at Kensington Palace, giving Kate time to change into an Alexander McQueen suit and Lock & Co hat before heading to an 11am engagement.

Shortly after the two-hour event ended, the 34-year-old royal mother of two was seen taking off in a casual travel-friendly outfit. MailOnline noted the princess had attended a service in London marking the 75th anniversary of the Air Training Corps, her first official engagement as its Honorary Air Commandant. Kate is the first woman to hold the post, after Prince Philip retired from the position after over 60 years in January.

A day later, 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth traveled from King's Lynn station in Norfolk on the 10.54am train to King's Cross in London. As expected, the Queen traveled in the first class carriage. Graeme Pratt, station manager, told MailOnline: "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."

When asked about the different travel methods, a Kensington Palace spokesman told reporters: "The Royal Household makes careful decision about transport plans and always seeks to travel in the most appropriate way possible considering the arrangements for an official engagement.