It’s whistlestop Wills and Kate as they head for royal train tour
IT HAS been a difficult year for all – but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spread Christmas cheer today on a whistlestop train tour.
William and Kate will thank those who have held the country together on their nine-stop‘ Christmas Express’ trip.
Tomorrow, they will meet the Queen for a family photocall, along with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. The events will offer a show of unity from the Royal Family for individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond in the pandemic. William and Kate left London’s Euston station last night on the royal train for the 48-hour, 1,250-mile tour of Scotland, England and Wales.
It was a royal departure like no other and even featured a performance from Shakin’ Stevens, who sang his classic Merry Christmas Everyone for rail workers at the station.
Before they departed, the couple met Euston staff to hear about their experiences of working through the crisis.
William and Kate were keen to personally pass on their thanks to Transport for London, Network Rail and train operating companies for keeping the capital running.
The trip has been organised so they can give their gratitude to frontline workers, volunteers, care home staff, teachers and pupils to hear about their sacrifices and inspirational work this year.
A Kensington Palace source said: ‘The duke and duchess are very much looking forward to shining a spotlight on the incredible work that has been done across t he country throughout this difficult year.’
Details of the engagements will be kept secret until the couple’s arrival so as not to encourage crowds.
But a series of ‘fun’ surprises have been organised at each stop. The public’s generosity will be celebrated by the showcasing of organisations and initiatives that have been supported by community relief funds, including NHS Charities Together.
The couple also plan to showcase the arts, heritage and live performance sector, which has suffered i n the l ockdowns. There will be a number of festive performances by local artists across the three days.
The tour stops will also highlight the results of the Government’s £ 1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund.
William and Kate will then meet the Queen, Charles and Camilla for a rare photocall together. The retired Prince Philip, 99, will not be present.
One of the highlights of the trip will be the distinctive burgundy-liveried royal train itself.
Queen Victoria was the first reigning British sovereign to use the royal train.
The journey, in June 1842, was from Slough, at that time the closest train station to Windsor Castle, to London Paddington.
Permission to travel on the nine- carriage train has to be given by the Queen personally, and she is said to be very much i n support of William and Kate’s ‘wonderful’ idea.
Although the train l ooks grand from the outside, its carriages are spartan inside, with single beds and dated 1970sstyle baths instead of showers.
A source close to the couple said: ‘ They’re really excited about the trip and getting to communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
‘The only thing that’s missing is a stop in Northern Ireland, which is currently in a full lockdown, so they’ll make it a priority to get there in the new year.’
‘Serenaded by Shakin’ Stevens’