For the very first time, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be going around England, Scotland and Wales aboard Queen Elizabeth's Royal Train, as part of their three-day "Thank You" Tour in honor of the frontline workers and volunteers.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit several groups, including students and teachers, to show their appreciation and to learn of their hard work and stories amid this COVID-19 crisis. Their trip will also feature a few key stopovers where local performers, who have benefitted from the Culture Recovery Fund, will present special numbers.
But Kensington Palace officials said Kate and Prince William would practice social distancing, as well as follow the government guidelines and safety precautions. The Cambridge couple was photographed wearing face masks when they left the London Euston Station to begin their three-day tour. The press will not be told of the stop-offs to discouraged crowds from waiting and converging at the train stations.
Before they left, Shakin' Stevens, also known as the Welsh Elvis Presley, treated the royal couple to a Christmas song. Kate and Prince William clapped along to the song performed by the entertainer.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as well as Prince Charles and Camilla, regularly take the Royal Train for their visits around the country. Kate and Prince William haven't ridden the train together since the Duchess of Cambridge became part of the family, but William has traveled aboard this locomotive in his younger years.
This is also the first time a member of the royal family has taken the special train amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Mirror. Palace insiders said that Prince William and Kate are excited about their first train trip together. They have all the comforts aboard the Royal Train with its multiple bedrooms, a spacious 12-seat dining room, and tubs in the bathrooms, although the features have not been updated for years.
But critics of the royal family called out and accused Prince William and Kate of launching a publicity stunt, with some saying that a royal train tour isn't what the country needs today. On Twitter, netizens said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been doing Zoom conferences to talk to keyworkers since the start of the pandemic. They believe that this train tour isn't about the frontliners but the royal pair's ego to keep their popularity in check.
However, defenders of the Cambridges said that this would help raise the country's morale following the end of the second nationwide lockdown. Others praised Prince William and Kate for bringing positive news, which they hope will unify the country.
