Mind the gap, Ma’am! Throwback images to mark the Queen’s Paltinum Jubilee show the Queen driving a train and travelling on the Tube in 1969 and (and she even bought a ticket!)
- Transport For London has shared a selection of key moments from Queen Elizabeth’s reign
- She was the first reigning monarch to travel on the Tube when she officially opened the Victoria Line in 1969
- During the journey the Queen took control of the train in the driver’s cab while at Green Park
- In 1977 she opened part of an extension to Picadilly Line and travelled between Hatton Cross and Heathrow
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While the Queen’s favoured mode of transport is her trusty Range Rover, or even a carriage ride to Royal Ascot, the monarch has in fact taken the tube, looking rather more glamorous than the average commuter in her fur coat and pillbox hat.
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Transport For London has delved into its archives to revisit images of key visits by Her Majesty to the transport network over the course of her reign.
The Queen, 95, became the first reigning monarch to travel on the Tube when she officially opened the Victoria Line in March 1969, buying her ticket at Green Park before making her way through the barrier and down the escalator to the Tube platform.
During the journey the Queen took control of the train in the driver’s cab while at Green Park – the closest stop to her home at Buckingham Palace – before sitting in the carriage for the journey from Oxford Circus to Victoria station.
It was the Queen’s second trip underground, the first had come in 1939 when she was 13 with her governess Marion Crawford and Princess Margaret.
She has since ridden on the London Underground on a number of occasions.
In 1977 she opened part of an extension to the Picadilly Line and travelled between Hatton Cross and Heathrow on the train.
Her most recent trip underground was a visit to Aldgate station in 2010, to view a plaque in honour of those killed in the July 7 bombings in 2005.
Another image from 2013 of the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Duchess of Cambridge at Baker Street station to mark London Underground’s 150th anniversary.
The Queen, 95, became the first reigning monarch to travel on the Tube when she officially opened the Victoria Line in March 1969, During the journey the Queen took control of the train in the driver’s cab while at Green Park – the closest stop to her home at Buckingham Palace
![In the days before contactless! The Queen is pictured here using the ticket barriers, after buying her ticket at Green Park station](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55201715-10599629-In_the_days_before_contactless_The_Queen_is_pictured_here_using_-a-29_1647009373927.jpg)
In the days before contactless! The Queen is pictured here using the ticket barriers, after buying her ticket at Green Park station
![The Queen became the first reigning monarch to travel on the Tube when she opened the Victoria Line, looking glamorous in a fur cot and pillbox hat](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200855-10599629-The_Queen_became_the_first_reigning_monarch_to_travel_on_the_Tub-a-30_1647009379352.jpg)
The Queen became the first reigning monarch to travel on the Tube when she opened the Victoria Line, looking glamorous in a fur cot and pillbox hat
![on the 16th December 1977 the Queen opened the Heathrow extension of the Piccadilly line, and again joined the driver in the carriage for the official opening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200849-10599629-on_the_16th_December_1977_the_Queen_opened_the_Heathrow_extensio-a-31_1647009383679.jpg)
on the 16th December 1977 the Queen opened the Heathrow extension of the Piccadilly line, and again joined the driver in the carriage for the official opening
![Almost matching the seats! She opted for a long blue coat with large collar and a white hat with large rim when she opened the Heathrow extension of the Piccadilly line in 1977](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200845-10599629-Almost_matching_the_seats_She_opted_for_a_long_blue_coat_with_la-a-32_1647009388360.jpg)
Almost matching the seats! She opted for a long blue coat with large collar and a white hat with large rim when she opened the Heathrow extension of the Piccadilly line in 1977
![Learning the ropes! The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1987 touring the TFL control rooms](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200837-10599629-Learning_the_ropes_The_Queen_with_the_Duke_of_Edinburgh_in_1987_-a-33_1647009398487.jpg)
Learning the ropes! The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1987 touring the TFL control rooms
![Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the Docklands Light Railway on 30th July 1987, wearing another blue coat and white hat with matching trim](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200843-10599629-Queen_Elizabeth_II_unveiled_the_Docklands_Light_Railway_on_30th_-a-34_1647009402403.jpg)
Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the Docklands Light Railway on 30th July 1987, wearing another blue coat and white hat with matching trim
![The Queen is pictured here taking a ride on the Docklands Light Railway in July 1987, when there were just 11 single carriage trains and 15 stations](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200857-10599629-The_Queen_is_pictured_here_taking_a_ride_on_the_Docklands_Light_-a-35_1647009406586.jpg)
The Queen is pictured here taking a ride on the Docklands Light Railway in July 1987, when there were just 11 single carriage trains and 15 stations
![The Queen visisted Baker Street station to mark London Underground’s 150th anniversary in 2013, looking elegant in a cream coat and hat](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200841-10599629-The_Queen_was_joined_by_the_Duke_of_Edinburgh_and_Duchess_of_Cam-a-36_1647009411478.jpg)
The Queen visisted Baker Street station to mark London Underground’s 150th anniversary in 2013, looking elegant in a cream coat and hat
![Queen of colourful dressing! The monarch donned a lavender ensemble to match the Elizabeth line colour for its opening in 2016](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200847-10599629-The_Queen_dressed_in_Lavender_to_match_the_Elizabeth_line_for_it-a-37_1647009427554.jpg)
Queen of colourful dressing! The monarch donned a lavender ensemble to match the Elizabeth line colour for its opening in 2016
![At the opening of the Elizabeth Line, the Queen was joined by Boris Johnson, who was then the Mayor of London](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200851-10599629-She_wore_a_Lavender_coat_with_matching_hat_paired_with_black_glo-a-38_1647009431337.jpg)
At the opening of the Elizabeth Line, the Queen was joined by Boris Johnson, who was then the Mayor of London
![The Queen is pictured here meeting the TFL staff at Bond Street station for the opening of the Elizabeth Line](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/03/11/14/55200839-10599629-The_Queen_is_pictured_here_meeting_the_TFL_staff_at_Bond_Street_-a-39_1647009437541.jpg)
The Queen is pictured here meeting the TFL staff at Bond Street station for the opening of the Elizabeth Line
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