The Royal Train reached its final destination on the day 3 – Windsor Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled 1250 miles since Sunday evening to thank the British people, communities and organizations for their hard work through the pandemic caused by COVID-19. They also showcased the UK’s arts, heritage and live performance sector, which has been supported throughout the pandemic by the Government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund. The Royal Train tour ended on the steps of Equerries’ entrance at Windsor Castle.
At the final stop, Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge were joined by Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princess Royal at the Windsor Castle. It was the first time when we saw them together publicly since the Annual Commonwealth Service in March. Although the family spent time with The Queen at the balmoral castle we never see any of the pictures from summer break.
The Royal family together listened to The Salvation Army band playing in the Castle quadrangle. It was a truly festive scene. But I did miss Prince Philip in the gathering who is going to be 100 years old in 2021. Her Majesty told the Salvation Army that it might be the only time she hears Christmas carols this year. The Queen and Prince Philip will be celebrating Christmas together at Windsor Castle away from the family.
The Queen thanked the band for their performance, as well as for the wider work of The Salvation Army during the pandemic and over the Christmas period. The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and The Princess Royal met with the local volunteers and key workers from organisations in Berkshire, who will be volunteering or working to help others over the Christmas period.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talked to the nursery headteacher Sarah Cottle, who runs three maintained nurseries for the local council. They talked about Early Years, how Catherine chided her parents to complete her ‘5 Big Question survey’ and children’s reactions to the pandemic.
There was some political criticism of the whistle-stope tour. The tour was planned under the Government Guidelines on British Government’s request but some Government authorities tried to take a step back and put a strain on the Nationwide tribute The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid to the frontline workers. I will not bore you with the political details What I find funny during the whole tirade was how Downing Street and Nicola Sturgeon’s office backtracked from their earlier statements. You can find more about it on Daily Mail’s report here. But all is well if ends well and the 94- years old Queen Elizabeth II was happy to see her Grandson and his wife doing their job without any complaint.
As I said earlier in this post, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge remained the public face of the Royal Family throughout the public when Her Majesty had to stay inside due to her age and risk factor. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge undertook numerous engagements in unconventional times. Kate’s Ranger on Twitter has compiled the efforts put by Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge throughout the pandemic and how they had helped the community:
- Donated £1.8m via their foundation
- Donated to the NHS via a fundraiser
- Orchestrated the donation of 10k items to baby banks
- Created Our Frontline with other charities for the mental wellbeing of frontline staff
- Launched a community photography project Hold Still
A complete list is below.
Kate’s Rangers on Twitter
Kate’s Rangers on Twitter
The Royal Train tour brought a very cheerful end to a very challenging year. Throughout the year, senior members of the royal family attended various zoom calls, raised funds, championed NHS Staff, frontline workers and Volunteers, had COVID-19 infection in the family and survived. The British Royal Family led by example followed Government guidelines and adapted the change to fulfil their roles. This event was a wonderful way to conclude the year that forced a traditional House of Windsor to adapt the contemporary changes and they did it so gracefully while leading the Nation through the pandemic.
For the last stop of the tour, The Duchess of again brought another outfit from her wardrobe. She was wearing her Catherine Walker Green Double Breasted Coat that she debuted in March 2020 when she arrived in Ireland for her first royal visit.
The coat was a custom piece from the British designer.
Troy London Faux Fur Lapel CollarToday, The Duchess of Cambridge topped the coat with Troy London Faux Fur Lapel Collar. Thanks to Kate’s Closet for the id.
Catherine paired the outfit with Queen’s Diamond Pendant Earrings. The earrings feature a cluster of diamonds that are suspended from four diamonds having another strand of diamonds inside.
She was wearing her Ralph Lauren Collection Black Suede High Heel Boot.
Catherine carried Alexander McQueen Beetle Box Clutch in Black Velvet at the festival of remembrance in November 2019.
Catherine was also wearing Cornelia James Alice Gloves debuted in 2017 at Christmas Church Service.
Following the guidelines, Catherine was wearing a face mask. It was Amaia Kids Wiltshire Bud face mask.
Today, was the closest outing we will get from the British Royal family this year on Christmas. I am expecting one or two news or activities from Kensignton Palace before the year ends. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have an option of celebrating Christmas just with their three kids at Anmer Hall or they can join Catherine’s family at Berkshire.