The King travelled to Pickering in rare regal style today (Monday).
He was on board the royal train being pulled by the most famous locomotive of them all – Flying Scotsman.
The trip celebrates two milestones – the 100th birthday of Flying Scotsman and the 50th anniversary of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
The King took the opportunity to climb on board the footplate of Flying Scotsman after it arrived at Pickering Station.
Despite wearing a light-coloured suit, the royal visitor accepted an invitation from the crew, including driver Chris Cubitt, to step on to the footplate of the 100-year-old engine to see how Flying Scotsman works.
On the platform the King met the custodian of Flying Scotsman, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, and Judith McNicol, the director of the National Railway Museum which is the Flying Scotsman’s home.
Volunteers who work for the heritage railway were also introduced to the King. He then unveiled a plaque to mark the NYMR anniversary.
The NYMR tweeted: “His Majesty The King travelled behind Flying Scotsman in the Royal Carriages along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway heritage line and met the railways Chief Executive Officer, Chris Price, and longstanding volunteers to mark the 50th Anniversary.”
After leaving the station, the King was greeted by hundreds of well-wishers as he worked his way through the centre of Pickering on an extended walkabout, asking many of the schoolchildren who had gathered to see him whether they had enjoyed the half-term break.
Temperatures soared in the baking sunshine and one woman in the crowd appeared to faint just after Charles passed her, falling through the barrier just a couple of metres from where he was talking to the crowd.
The King turned and looked concerned for a moment as one his protection officers and his equerry moved to help her before a number of North Yorkshire Police officers stepped in.
The King went on to visit shops in Pickering, including Birdgate Chocolatiers, a the craft chocolate and ice-cream makers, and Horsley Butchers which sells produce from the Duchy of Lancaster.
He met and chatted with well wishers in the Ryedale sunshine as he made his way to tour St Peter and St Paul’s Church. It is famous for its medieval wall paintings, probably first commissioned in 1450, some of the most complete still in existence.
Then the King left Pickering after a morning the town will long remember.
The King has made several visits to our part of the world since he came to the throne. Read more here:
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