Kate Middleton was spotted heading to Balmoral on an economy flight %%

kate middleton shorts — (Image credit: Getty Images Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images 1412027876)

She was reportedly accompanied by Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on the commercial flight.

With the last weeks of August on the horizon, it means one thing. The summer holidays (be it school term related or not) are coming to an end.

For the Cambridges - and other members of the royal family - there's something else too: It's time to join the Queen at Balmoral.

Well, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have reportedly been spotted heading to Scotland, although it's not via a helicopter or private jet. Instead, they've been spotted boarding an economy flight.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. — Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.

According to Hello! magazine, a video shared to TikTok over the weekend, shows the Duchess of Cambridge disembarking a commercial flight with her two youngest children.

It's reported that the TikTok user wrote: "On a flight to Scotland, Kate Middleton, both kids, nanny and security 2 rows in front of me...could get a private jet or helicopter but keeping it simple, flying economy."

They also posted about how Kate had got up during the flight to fetch Princess Charlotte's iPad and flashed them a smile.

Prince William and Prince George are believed to have travelled separately. Members of the royal family often avoid flying all together due to royal protocol.

Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the 'Together at Christmas' community carol service at Westminster Abbey

Flying economy on a commercial flight is a savvy move for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as the public have become more aware recently of the significant environmental damage private jets present.

Last month, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott were strongly criticised for boasting of their matching private jets.

It's an annual tradition for the family to spend the last of the school summer holidays with the Queen at Balmoral Castle, with the location giving them ample opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

Today - after months of speculation - it was confirmed by Kensington Palace that the family of five would be moving to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7 and Prince Louis, 4, will be starting at Lambrook School in Berkshire come September.

It's been a busy summer for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their young brood. In July, it was reported that the family had jetted off to the private island of Mustique for a luxury break.

Now, it's expected they'll spend some quality time in Scotland with the Queen, before heading to their new home in Windsor and getting the children ready for their first day at their new school.

Amy Sedghi is a freelance journalist, specialising in health and fitness, travel, beauty, sustainability and cycling.

Having started her career in The Guardian newsroom working with an award-winning team, Amy's proud to have reported on a variety of topics, speaking to a range of voices and travelling far and wide to do so. From interviews on ski lifts to writing up breaking stories outside courtrooms, Amy is used to reporting from a range of locations (she’s even been known to type up a story in a tent).

She also loves being active, spending time outdoors and travelling - with some of her favourite features she’s worked on combining all three. Cycling and eating her way round the Isle of Man, learning to sail on the Côte d'Azur and traversing the Caminito del Rey path in Spain are just some of her highlights.

Covering a diverse range of subjects appeals to Amy. One minute she may be writing about her online styling session with Katie Holmes’ stylist and the next she’s transporting readers to the basketball courts of Haringey where she joined a group trying to lower knife crime in the capital.

While at university, Amy was awarded The Media Society bursary. Following her stint at the Guardian, Amy worked at Google and as well as writing for Marie Claire, she regularly contributes interviews, features and articles to National Geographic Traveller, The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph, Stylist, Refinery29, Glorious Sport, Cycling Weekly and Rouleur.

When she’s not writing, Amy can be found trying to get through her towering stack of books-to-read, cycling down at Herne Hill Velodrome or looking for the next place to eat and drink with friends.