Joining the royal family comes with a lot of fancy perks – from living in palaces and castles to having your pick of the sparkiest tiaras and priceless jewels.
But there are also some more practical benefits, including being able to use the Royal Train rather than climbing aboard a delayed, standing-room only Northern Rail service.
However, it’s believed that despite being a member of the royal family for nine years, Kate is still waiting to travel on the fancy train.
This isn’t any sort of dig at the Duchess, and it’s likely that she hasn’t travelled on it simply because there hasn’t been a reason for her to.
(Image: AFP)
She’s carried out a number of engagement with the Queen, however it’s probably just been easier for the women to drive there together.
However, Kate’s sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, got to ride the train just a few weeks after her royal wedding.
The Queen invited the new Duchess of Sussex to join her for a day of engagements in Chester, and they travelled there together on the train.
(Image: PA)
In their book Finding Freedom, royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand describe Meghan’s trip on the train.
They write: “It was a daunting journey for the new wife, despite the amenities of Her Majesty’s personal train, which had private bedrooms (Prince Philip’s pillows are plain; the Queen’s, with a small royal cipher in one corner, are trimmed with lace); a sitting room with a sofa of hand-stitched velvet cushions, a dining table for six, a desk where the Queen worked on her papers; and secondary air suspension for a smoother than average ride.”
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
“The train conductor drives extra slowly around 7.30am to make sure the water stays in the tub while the Queen has her bath.”
The Royal Train has been used by Monarchs since Queen Victoria, and while it used to be just asplush as you would expect, with bright velvet sofas and cushions, it’s now far more low key with simple decor and furniture.
The train has bedrooms, bathrooms, a sitting room and a large dining room, and there is also an office where the Queen works during her travels.
(Image: SSPL)
(Image: SWNS.com)
The train also has space for her staff, and there are bedrooms with bunk beds.
Speaking to the BBC back in 2002, director of royal travel Tim Hewlett said: “There is a perception the train is a bit like the Orient Express.
“But there are not many bathroom furnishings you could not get in Homebase or B&Q.”
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to travel by train, and her favourite carriage on the old steam train has recently been restored to it’s former glory.
Photos of King Edward VII’s dining room show detailed wooden paneling, curtains and coving.
The wooden dining table is decorated with flowers in vases, and the table is laid for a formal meal with several courses.
His bedroom was fitted with electric lights and fans.
Nowdays the train is only used by very senior members of the royal family, normally just the Queen, Philip, Charles and Camilla.
-- to www.mirror.co.uk
