Wills and Kate’s thank you train
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got a festive send- off last night when they began a three- day Royal Train trip to thank Britain’s pandemic heroes.
At Euston Station in London, the veteran Welsh rocker Shakin’ Stevens sang his seasonal hit Merry Christmas Everyone as the royal party set off on a 1,250- mile trip around England, Wales and Scotland.
William and Kate, both 38, started by meeting the transport workers who helped to keep the capital’s trains, buses and Tube operating throughout the crisis.
And during the epic journey to come the future King and Queen will meet frontline workers, volunteers, care home staff, teachers, young people, and entertainers to pay tribute for their efforts during an extraordinarily difficult year.
A source close to the couple said last night: “They’re really excited about the trip and to reaching communities across England, Wales, and Scotland.
“The only thing that’s missing is a stop in Northern Ireland,
which is currently in a full lockdown. So they will make it a priority in the new year.”
It was the couple’s first trip together on official duties on the Royal Train. William has used it several times before.
Cheer
The Duke and Duchess are expected to visit more than eight locations and it is thought they will see the Queen, Prince Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall at the end of the tour for some festive cheer.
Details of their destinations are being kept under wraps to
avoid crowds gathering and putting people at risk from spreading the virus.
The tour, which is due to end tomorrow, is a rare outing for the Royal Train.
It was only used three times last year, once by the Queen and twice by Prince Charles, at a cost to the taxpayer of £ 63,225 on top of an estimated £ 900,000 for annual maintenance and storage.
The Cambridges are entitled to use it along with the Queen and Charles and Camilla, but they felt they had to ask the Queen’s permission for this tour.
A Kensington Palace spokeswoman said: “The Duke
and Duchess are very much looking forward to shining a spotlight on the incredible work that has been done across the country throughout this difficult year and to sharing their gratitude on behalf of the nation for all those supporting their local communities ahead of the Christmas holidays.”
The trip has already been immortalised in a drawing by 10- year- old Shrewsbury schoolboy Joe Whale, better known as the Doodle Boy, who has found worldwide fame with his creative art.