Pippa Matthews, the 44-year-old sister of the Princess of Wales, recently demonstrated her down-to-earth approach to family life during an unassuming rail trip with her eldest child.

The mother-of-three was spotted travelling from London to Newbury, accompanied by seven-year-old Arthur, opting for standard class seating rather than first class.

Neither Mrs Matthews nor her son appeared to have booked seats in advance for the journey.

Her husband, hedge fund manager James Matthews, was not present for the trip.

Pippa Middleton ‘totally under the radar’ as she travels standard class with son Arthur (stock image)

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The low-key outing saw Mrs Matthews blend in seamlessly with fellow passengers, embodying the image of an everyday parent on a routine journey.

During the journey, the pair tucked into an eclectic combination of sushi and doughnuts.

A particularly relatable parenting exchange unfolded as the train neared Newbury station, according to reports in Hello!.

A source told the outlet: “Pippa was just a very normal mum. She was very attentive to her son, who was engrossed in his iPad, and went totally under the radar in the train carriage.

Pippa and Carole Middleton at the Together at Christmas Carol Service in 2024 | GETTY

“She carried her own luggage and was really polite and friendly, you’d never guess she was related to royalty.”

The observation highlights how the younger Middleton sister has maintained an unassuming public presence despite her proximity to the throne.

Without any entourage or special treatment, she managed her bags independently and interacted warmly with those around her.

Fellow travellers remained oblivious to her family connections throughout the journey.

Pippa married James Matthews in 2017

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Pippa Middleton leaving her former West London home in 2016 | GETTY

Mrs Matthews appears to have taken inspiration from her elder sister, who has also embraced public transport in recent times.

The Princess of Wales and Prince William surprised commuters in January last year when they took a train to an engagement in Pontypridd, Wales.

The couple were filmed walking along the platform, with Catherine waving to onlookers in footage shared on their Instagram account.

This stands in marked contrast to their typical travel arrangements, which usually involve royal motorcades, helicopters, or private jets.

The royal train, which senior members of the family have traditionally used by invitation from the monarch, is set to be decommissioned in 2027 as part of the King’s cost-cutting measures.