Prince Charles visited the scene of the deadly Scotland train site crash early Friday morning to show support for the victims and thank the first responders. He represented the royal family as Queen Elizabeth sent her message of condolences while she continues to isolate in Balmoral.
The heir to the throne, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, talked with some first responders, the police and the Scottish Ambulance Service about the accident. The royal also made a survey of the crash site and its surrounding areas.
Three people were killed and several were injured during the ScotRail derailment Wednesday in Aberdeenshire, amid some rain, flooding and landslides. BBC reported that 30 emergency service vehicles were immediately on the scene to find survivors and bring the injured to nearby hospitals. Among the dead were the driver, conductor and a passenger.
Queen Elizabeth, who has been spending her summer with Prince Philip an hour's away from Aberdeenshire, posted her message of condolences on Instagram on the evening of the crash. It was the same message she set to the Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire.
Her Majesty said that she and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the rest of the Royal Family, are sending thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims. The Queen also thanked the first responders.
Prince Charles was staying in the Castle of Mey with his wife, Camille, the Duchess of Cornwall, when the accident happened. Earlier, he met with members of several local charitable organizations who were recipients of the North Highlands Initiative Covid Fund.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles' other Scotland estate, the Dumfries House, is set to open this weekend. Guests staying at the restored bed and breakfast site will be able to enjoy a full butler service, according to Daily Mail.
The Duke of Rothesay will return to England Saturday for the VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) rites. He and Camilla will be at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for a two-minute silence at 11:00 a.m.
Prince Philip, Prince Charles' father, will make a special appearance in the commemorations via a photo montage, which will also include Sir Thomas Moore. The montage will be played out in large screens around the U.K.
The Duke of Edinburgh was stationed in the Tokyo Bay in Japan during the Second World War. They were the last to return to Britain following the Japanese's surrender. Moore, on the other hand, was among the British troops in Burma.
The VJ Day commemorations will be airing on BBC at 9:30 a.m. A documentary, titled National Day's Tribute with Prince William, will air in the evening.
