Kate Middleton and Prince William begin 1,200 mile train tour to thank key workers

Shakin' Stevens performed as royal couple set off on Sunday evening

(REUTERS)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have set off on a country-wide train tour to pay tribute to key workers, outstanding individuals and communities for their work during the pandemic.

On Sunday evening, the couple boarded a royal train at London’s Euston station that will travel 1,250 miles across the UK for a period of three days.

They are expected to meet a range of frontline workers, teachers, care workers, school children, and mental health professionals.

Both Prince William and Kate spoke to several transport workers prior to their departure.

Speaking about the pandemic, the Duke of Cambridge told Orson Parris, a network traffic controller for Transport for London: "Fingers crossed 2021 gets things back to normal."

He also told Alero Abbey, TfL area manager for Green Park and Euston: "It's moments like this when people really appreciate what you do every day. Suddenly we all know what you do and that you do a really good job."

Before the royal couple set off, the 1980s singer Shakin’ Stevens performed his hit single “Merry Christmas Everyone” for the couple and a group of transport workers that were also present at Euston.

Speaking to PA after his performance, Shakin’ Stevens said “it was lovely to be invited” to take part in the send off, adding that the couple had chosen him themselves.

Regarding the royal’s trip, the musician said: "It's lovely to give back isn't it? It's nice to give back and they are leading the way.

"It needs something to cheer us up doesn't it? Because what we've got, we don't know how long it's going to go on for, so you have got to keep your pecker up."

The couple are expected to meet the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on their final stop of the tour.

It is believed to be Kate’s first royal train journey, while William travelled by train in 1997 on the day of his mother’s funeral to join Diana’s family at their ancestral home, Althorp.

For the occasion, Kate wore an olive green Alexander McQueen coat and a tartan scarf while Prince William wore a long navy coat with a red scarf.