Tonight the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge started their mini-tour of the UK aboard the Royal Train, a trip announced last night via social media. Over the next two days, they will visit nine locations in England, Scotland, and Wales. 
Kensington Palace reports the couple wants to “pay tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in response to the coronavirus pandemic.” The royals boarded the train at London’s Euston Station this evening. 
More from Simon Perry’s People article:
Over the next few days, ending on Tuesday, William and Kate will meet frontline workers, volunteers, care home staff, teachers, schoolchildren and young people and pay tribute to people …..in local communities during the coronavirus pandemic this year.
And from Camilla Tominey’s column in The Telegraph:
The decision to take their first ever journey aboard the Royal Train came after discussions with aides about how to highlight the impact of public generosity during the Covid pandemic. Following the huge success of Clap for Carers earlier in the crisis, both William and Kate expressed a desire to pay tribute to those who have gone “above and beyond” this year.
The whistle-stop trip…. will take in cities including Edinburgh, Manchester and Cardiff, comes after a year of cancelled royal events and overseas tours. Ordinarily, the couple would have undertaken both a spring and autumn visit abroad but, like the rest of the Royals, have been “grounded” by coronavirus.
According to one well-placed source, lockdown has taught the couple not only the value of the Royals in times of crisis but also the importance of their power to be agents of the nation’s gratitude.
Below, a video tweeted by MP Zarah Sultana, who happened to be at the station when the couple was listening to Welsh singer/songwriter Shakin’ Stevens.
When your train comes into London at the same time as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Euston station: pic.twitter.com/2jpJhH7Muw
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) December 6, 2020
And from The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English.
It was a royal departure like no other and even featured a special performance from 80s pop star Shakin’ Stevens who performed his perennial festive favourite, ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ for transport workers at the station.
Stevens, 72, said he was ‘over the moon’ to be playing for the Duke and Duchess, revealing that it was the first time he had played for royalty in his long career.
‘I’m loving it, it was lovely to be invited,’ he said. ‘And it was them who chose the song. Over the moon.’
Victoria Ward of The Telegraph shared a photo of the performance. 
The couple applauding. 
The Duke and Duchess spent time speaking with transport workers while at the station. 
From Emily Nash’s Hello piece:
On behalf of the nation, they passed on their thanks for everything they have done to keep trains in London running and the measures taken to ensure passengers could travel safely with confidence.
The Duke 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.”
Rebecca English reports that “a series of ‘fun’ surprises have been organised at each of the couple’s stops as they celebrate community spirit and demonstrate the impact of the public’s generosity this year, by showcasing organisations and initiatives that have been supported by community relief funds, including NHS Charities Together.”
The train this evening.
While Prince William has traveled on the train several times, this will be the Duchess’s first official trip on it. Below, the Duke and Duchess boarding tonight at the station. 
A quick video from Kensington Palace.
👋The Duke and Duchess are off!
This evening, The Duke and Duchess departed on the #RoyalTrainTour to pay tribute to the inspiring work of those who have gone above and beyond to support communities across England, Scotland, and Wales.
📍London pic.twitter.com/qcarRA9in7
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) December 7, 2020
A wider shot of the train, this one from June 2018. 
More from The Daily Mirror:
The Royal Train has been used by Monarchs since Queen Victoria, and while it used to be just as plush 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.
Here you see HM stepping off the train when arriving at Plymouth Railway Station for a March 2015 visit. 
The royal crests.
The train reportedly runs on environmentally friendly bio-fuel that is manufactured from used cooking oil. Additional insight on the train comes via this BBC piece.
- Queen Victoria was the first monarch to use the royal train, traveling from Slough to Paddington station on 13 June 1842, with Isambard Kingdom Brunel riding on the footplate. In her diary, the 23-year-old queen described the 25-minute journey as “delightful and so quick”
- The present train has nine carriages and came into service for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, in 1977. It includes private carriages for the Queen and the Prince of Wales
- The train is described as more functional than palatial, with one royal aide suggesting it has bathroom fixtures “you could find in Homebase or B&Q.”
Emily Andrews of The Daily Mail shared photos of the interior via Twitter.
It’s the first time William & Kate have been aboard the Royal Train 🚂 and the #royaltraintour promises to be a fun whistle-stop tour of the three nations 🏴🏴🏴when everyone could use a bit of Christmas cheer 🌲 pic.twitter.com/6N2lrXpN01
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) December 5, 2020
Below, the Duke of Edinburgh waves as the train leaves Edinburgh’s Waverley Station in September 2015.
The couple’s final stop on Tuesday will be to see HM, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, and Duchess of Cornwall.
Now for our look at what Kate wore this evening. 
She was in a dark green bespoke coat by Alexander McQueen she has worn previously. The structured piece features a high collar, fitted bodice with multiple darts and flap pockets, exposed seams with topstitching detail, waistband, concealed placket, diagonal besom pockets at the hip, and princess seams on the back of the bodice.
The coat was first worn for a visit to Bradford in January of this year, then seen again in Galway this March.
The Duchess carried her Grace Han Love Letter Top-Handled Bag ($2144) this evening, which we first saw at the Hold Still community launch in October. 
Kate brought back her Ralph Lauren Collection suede boots.
Kate’s gloves look like her ‘Alice’ merino wool pair ($137) with the velvet side bow, made by glovemaker (and royal warrant holder) Cornelia James. 
And also repeated her Maple Leaf Tartan scarf, an item first noted during the 2016 Canada tour.
The piece is by York Scarves. It measures 31″ x 71″ (about 180cm x 80cm) and it is 100% cotton. Here is a closer look from the Canada visit. 
I believe she had on a pair of Cornelia James gloves, but I am still looking through photos for more detailed shots.
The Duchess wore her hair down. 
Her face mask is another Amaia Kids style ($15) in a Liberty of London print. It is shown as sold out, but Amaia has been very good at restocking the masks. 
We were able to see Kate’s earrings better in tonight’s photos. 
From most angles, they look like the much-debated Pearl Rope Drop Earrings by Accessorize. In this montage, it looks like the earrings Kate has on are slightly bigger than those on the model. So I’m still somewhat on the fence. 
We’ll see you tomorrow for the day’s activities!
We’ll leave you Shakin’ Stevens performing Merry Christmas, Everyone.
LINKAGE:
- Victoria Ward’s piece for The Telegraph is here; Chris Ship’s ITV story is here; Rebecca English’s piece for The Daily Mail is here; an Express article is here;
- Simon Perry’s People story is here; Emily Nash’s piece for Hello is here;
Here in the US that song has never been popular – I’ve never heard it before and I am pretty much of a Christmas music expert – but I love it!
And I loved the scarf, too.
I wasn’t a huge fan of this coat the first time Kate wore it- I thought it was too dull a green, washed Kate out and looked boring with the gray dress. With the scarf, though, it is perfection! The “maple tartan” hues of red, gold and green scarf brings out Kate’s coloring and the green of the coat very well, and is a nice nod to Canada. I love the collar, the tailoring, and the color of the coat this time around. It has been fun to see so many coats re-worn and re-styled for this quick tour.
I have never been a fan of this coat. I think it’s too long, I don’t like the shade of green and I don’t like the pocket flaps. I love those boots ! Do we know the exact style ?
I think the tartan scarf helps mask the pocket flaps on the coat.
What a delightfully cozy thing it would be to be on this train adventure!
It’s interesting how the shade of Catherine’s coat seems to change depending on lighting and how it’s accessorized. I love this look for the kick-off of the train tour. The color palate is perfect both for the holidays and for their destinations. A perfect start.
Love the coat and the matching scarf !
Maybe the earrings are this model ? “SIMONE ROCHA Faux-pearl curb-chain earrings” ( pearls look bigger than in the Accessorize earrings)
Have a nice day 🙂
Seriously, I never thought I would voluntarily watch a Shakin’ Stevens video, but that one was sweet, thanks 😊 I have most definitely, through long years of cross-border commuting from South to North, stepped on to the overnight sleeper in immaculate overcoat, gloves, and high-heeled boots while carrying a smart handbag, and looking fit to meet the local mayor for a grand awards ceremony. It really pays to have staff 😉
I very much welcome seeing this wonderful McQueen coat again with its beautiful, flattering, long shape and wonderfully tailored details. A dark coat in this length needs boots and can’t sit happily with shoes and the Ralph Lauren pair are stunning. She chose the right tartan to tone with her coat in the scarf, the bag continues to be a joy, and the pearl drops add the perfect touch of highlight to bring the outfit to life.
Oh great. I have NEVER ‘stepped onto an overnight sleeper in immaculate’ &c &c
Thank Goodness we have a mini tour!! Southen California is under another lockdown. How fun to check the site for updates😊.
The duchess has many other green coats in more spirited green hues. The scarf, as agreed, did wonders. Love her handbag and boots with gloves made the look complete. All in good proportion.
How wonderful they enjoy traveling together. And it will add festivities and warm cheer in this bleak holiday season. What a marvelous idea.
Can’t wait to see what else she chooses. Of course I’m assuming we will see all coats. Hopefully with some jewelry!! Thank you for post.
Anyways, as for the fashion: this is probably one of Kate’s better tailored coats, but the boob pockets/flaps are so distracting and unflattering. The bottom kind of hangs oddly too. It’s almost like she’s trying to hide the flaps with her scarf (which is a nice one). If you have to use your scarf to hide the awkward flaps, then what’s the point of even wearing this coat? I like the accessories here better than the main outfit (scarf, boots, bag). As for her mask, Kate continues to wear masks that are too tight. It’s especially jarring since you can see people around her wearing larger masks that fit them properly (including her own husband whose mask does seem to fit).
NOTE: admin edit
Hooray for the rewearing of the green coat! This is a nice one and much improved by the scarf. I am also very jealous that they will have a cozy private train ride. What fun. And they look very in love in these Euston Station photos!
Ok, I’m not going to lie, but I love, love, love this scarf! Since I am(relatively)new to WKW I have been playing catch up with previous posts and just got past the 2016 Canadian tour. So I met this scarf then, and it has to be in my top three favourite DOC scarves. It’s so beautiful. Wouldn’t mind having one myself 😂
Reading everyone’s comments, I am somewhere in between the two camps on the coat. It is a wonderful coat. The colour and length are absolutely fabulous! But I am with everyone on the chest flaps. Maybe they would have worked if the coat was a hip length. But for me, chest flaps and pockets are for casual coats. And ankle length coats are formal coats. And, in my opinion, never the two should meet.
I know that this isn’t What William Wore, but I do like his winter gear. Very professional and it looks like it will keep him warm.
Can’t wait to see the DOC’s looks on this mini tour!
I agree that the chest flap pockets on this coat are not ideal and that the overall look is improved by the scarf. However, it is so flat. It looks like she got it out of the package unfolded it lengthwise but not widthwise, and just plopped it on. I would have loved to have seen it worn more like a shawl around the top of the coat and maybe secured with a nice broach (maybe the wheat-ear brooches http://queensjewelvault.blogspot.com/2013/10/queen-victorias-wheat-ear-brooches.html or get wild and crazy with the Grima Ruby http://queensjewelvault.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-grima-ruby-brooch.html). I want C to pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease wear broaches ever!
Sara, I’m here for brooches too!
Let’s keep hoping.
You know, it’s not my favorite coat, but the styling here is giving it a lot of help. The (gorgeous) scarf is covering up those odd chest flaps and mitigating the awkward placement of the stitched-down pleats. It’s also helping the color quite a bit, which I thought somewhat washed out the Duchess’s complexion out on earlier appearances. The tall boots also help with the coat’s length, which I felt looked a bit too long with the block heels.
Like someone else said, I know this trip is work for them, but I honestly can’t think of anything more fun–and welcome, during a time of seclusion–than to see the countryside from a private train. I’m very envious!
I think I just don’t want them to be those ear rings because the first time she wore them at the museum her outfit was so classic and stylish that it deserved good ear rings. Still not sure based on shape and even the little pin at the base of the pearl drop looks different / less flat.
So nice to see. However having the British Royal train pulled by Deutsche Bahn ( a German registered company) is a distinct oversight.
A subtle reminder that the British royal family is very German. lol.
This is my least favourite of Kate’s coats, but it looks great here because the feature I don’t like (breast flap pockets on a heavy winter coat) is covered by the Canadian Maple Leaf Tartan scarf.
They look happy, and what a great idea this mini tour is. I’m looking forward to seeing what they get up to over the next couple of days, as they seem so in tune with the issues of the day. And I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the meeting with the Queen and Charles and Camilla at the end. Very socially distanced, presumably. Thanks for the coverage!
As a Canadian I have always liked the Maple Leaf Tartan. It was designed and adopted in 1964, the year that Canada got it own flag, with the large red maple leaf.
From The Scottish Register of Tartans:
The colours of the maple leaf through the changing seasons became the basis for this asymmetric tartan designed by David Weiser in 1964. Known officially as the Maple Leaf Tartan, the pattern incorporates the green of the leaves’ summer foliage, the gold which appears in early autumn, the red which appears with the coming of the first frost, and the brown tones of the fallen leaves.
Thank you for the info, Bonnie! 🙂
I actually love this muted tartan (I am partial to olive and gold tones) and I am so pleased to learn what the colors represent. Thank you for this mini lesson, Bonnie!
Any tips for where I could find a scarf with the Maple Leaf Tartan?
LadyLeah, There are several pages on Etsy of items made of the Maple Leaf Tartan. I have not used any of the suppliers, so can’t endorse them. The items appear well made in the photos and there are also some reviews listed.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/market/maple_leaf_tartan.
Bonnie, this was a great tip. Thank you for this link!
I just treated myself to a “repli-Kate” of this scarf.
Looking forward to feeling royal and cozy 🙂
Hi, the scarf is available from York Scarves for £14.95. I’ve just bought myself one and it came today. I love the colours
I know a tour, even a mini one based in the UK, is work for William and Kate. I can’t help thinking, however, how much fun this is going to be for them. The rooms/cars on the train look cozy and inviting. No doubt there will be a chef in the dining car. They don’t have to keep packing up as they change locations. They just stay on the train and it takes them wherever they need to go. There will be stretches of down time as they go from town to town, when they can sit, or walk about as the scenery goes by. Sounds like a pretty nice gig for a couple who enjoy being together. This is a perfect tour to help morale in the country and show appreciation to those who have assisted in coping with the pandemic.
I really like Kate’s look today. There were always two things I disliked about this coat in the past. That was the oddly placed pocket flaps and the rather dull colour. The scarf does a splendid job at covering the flaps and brightening up the colour. When Kate carried the maple leaf tartan scarf in Canada, it looked silly to be holding it, without a purpose.
The purse is a nice change from a clutch and the high boots add a touch of elegance. All in all a good first day and I look forward to seeing more tour outfits. It would be beyond cute if they are all red and green.
What a fun surprise! PBS just featured a special on the Royal Train, so this is a great tie-in. I imagine the couple have not seen HM for a long time–I don’t recall any mention of it. Any chance to see family members this year would be welcome.
What a wonderful initiative to bring attention to frontline healthcare workers! Kate and William look so in love. I’ve always found the olive McQueen coat to be so elegant and flattering. Kate looks very appropriate and joyful.
I’m excited to see the fashion choices on this mini tour, I feel like Kate is going to embrace the Christmas spirit, it’s going to be all red and green!
I’d love to she here repeat a few of her red coats, I love the long one she wore in 2012 in Belgium.
I love this coat with the scarf! The colors in the scarf are so festive for this time of year. It makes all the difference when doing a 3rd recycle in one year. It’s interesting how different it looks in color in each photo.
I love the history of the Royal Train! I saw pictures of the inside on Twitter. It’s like stepping into an episode of the Crown as it hasn’t been updated. It would be fun to ride in it that way!
I adore her handbag. It’s a nice size and ladylike. I’m not familiar with the brand but would like to be!
This coat is perhaps her only coat I dislike. The color washes her out and the shape elongates her long waist. It’s very unflattering.
What a perfect look! This coat is gorgeous and for some reason, I love it when she adds a scarf to an outfit. A+.
Also, the two of them gazing at each other? How cute is that.
I just love that third photo — the loving look passing between them is so heart-warming (made all the more difficult to express when most of your face is covered by a mask!).
I also agree that the tartan scarf does something wonderful to that coat; this is my favorite styling of her looks while wearing this McQueen.
I like the coat much more than previous wearings… likely because that beautiful (Christmasy!) scarf is hiding the flap pockets on the bust. Lovely!
What a glamorous way to travel! I loved seeing peeks inside the Royal train.
As for what Kate wore…I love it from head to pointed toe. This long olive coat looks gorgeous with that beautiful scarf. Great handbag, I do like the look of tall boots with a long sweeping coat. Very glamorous indeed.
Her hair continues to be one of the wonders of the world. I’m looking forward to see what she’s packed to wear tomorrow. I predict re-wears, which seems appropriate.
Love your comment LadyLeah and couldn’t agree more! Her hair is truly wondrous
Right with you on tall boots with long sweeping coat – very Dr Zhivago! The Grace Han bag is to die for 😍
I love your coverage. It’s the first place I go for Kate news and style information. ❤️
Aww, thank you, Karen, that’s very much appreciated! 😊
I adore the Royal Train; and think it’s a fantastic way for Kate and William to tour…Her hair is fabulous and I love the boots ,bag and coat.
They both look elegant and regal.
However, as a Canadian, I have always thought that our tartan was not one of the nicer ones. I don’t care for the muddy yellow. The coat would have been enhanced by another scarf.
I’ve always been somewhat ambivalent about the coat and its very sludgy colour – I do think Catherine has many costs in nicer greens. However, unlike louise I think the muddy yellow in the scarf (it looks more olive-y in all the photos) goes rather well. I thought colour-wise that the scarf was a good addition. Anything of a proper red or yellow would have clashed with that drab green.
Overall I think it is altogether a good look. Love the way Catherine was swaying to the music (KP IG clip) it’s always been one of the better foot-tapping Christmas pop songs!!