COVID-19: William and Kate arrive in Edinburgh on first stop of UK Royal Train tour

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited Edinburgh as part of a national morale-boosting tour to thank people for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Royal Train pulled into Edinburgh Waverley station to the sounds of a piper playing Christmas songs including Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

The duke was first to step out of the train, adjusting his face mask as he did so, followed by Kate who was wearing a Liberty print face covering.

They were welcomed to the city by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Sandra Cumming.

William and Kate met ambulance staff in Newbridge, near Edinburgh, during their first engagement, which coincided with the announcement that the duke and duchess have become joint patrons of NHS Charities Together.

The 240 NHS charities in the UK provide extra funding and support for hospitals, community and mental health care, and ambulance services.

Ian Lush, chairman of NHS Charities Together, said: “This is such an honour for our organisation and for all the NHS charities across the UK.

“We can’t wait to start working with the duke and duchess, the potential is so exciting.”

Kensington Palace said William and Kate’s visit had added poignancy as it came on the same day the Scottish Ambulance Service remembered a colleague lost to COVID-19.

William and Kate then returned to the train for a visit to Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland to meet staff and pupils at Holy Trinity First School.

Around 175 pupils – some wearing antlers and some in Santa hats – waved and sang as they met the duke and duchess.

William and Kate’s third stop was Batley Community Centre in West Yorkshire.

The duchess had swapped her blue Catherine Walker coat for a navy one, while William had switched his tartan scarf for one which was olive green.

The couple met volunteers from the centre who have supported elderly members of the community throughout the pandemic by sending cards, having regular phone calls and dropping off shopping and parcels.

The couple had set off from London Euston on Sunday evening for the three-day 1,250-mile UK tour.

It will see them thank communities, outstanding individuals and key workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The duke and duchess wrote a personal message of thanks to transport workers on a London Underground service information board at Euston.

The message read: “Thank you to all transport workers everywhere for keeping the country moving throughout this difficult year. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!”

Before the couple boarded the train, singer Shakin’ Stevens performed his festive hit, Merry Christmas Everyone, which topped the charts in 1985.

The track was picked by William and Kate as the song they wanted to hear. During the performance, the duchess tapped her foot and swayed to the music.

It is believed the trip is Kate’s first official journey by Royal Train, but William has used it a number of times.

Queen Victoria was the first reigning monarch to use the service in 1842 to travel from Slough to London’s Paddington station.

Network Rail staff altered the departure boards for the occasion, changing Wolverhampton to Warmerhampton, Coventry to Coventry Carol, and Northampton to Northpolehampton.

(c) Sky News 2020: COVID-19: William and Kate arrive in Edinburgh on first stop of UK Royal Train tour