Prince Charles thanks underground workers for keeping tubes running

Namaste! Prince Charles uses his signature socially-distant greeting as he visits a TFL training centre with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to thank workers for keeping services running during the COVID-19 crisis

• Prince Charles, 71, arrived at a Transport for London (TfL) training centre today
• Met station staff at Ashfield House, near West Kensington station in west London
• The visit was hosted by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, chairman of TfL

The Prince of Wales arrived at a Transport for London (TfL) training centre to thank London Underground staff for working during the coronavirus pandemic today.

Charles, 71, met contract cleaners and station staff at Ashfield House, near West Kensington station in west London during the visit, which was hosted by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, chairman of TfL.

Ashfield House is TfL’s main training centre and has been in operation throughout the pandemic, providing training to station staff.

The Tube network has maintained 50% of services at the height of the outbreak when a third of staff were ill, shielding or self-isolating.

Prince Charles, 71, smiles as he arrives at a Transport for London (TfL) training centre to thank London Underground staff for working during the coronavirus pandemic today

The Prince of Wales is greeted by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan- before meeting key workers from Transport for London, who have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic on July 2 in London

The royal met contract cleaners and station staff at Ashfield House, near West Kensington station in west London during the visit

Many of the drivers, station staff and other workers have since returned to the front line and now more than 90% of the timetable is operating.

The outbreak took its toll and 44 London transport workers have died due to coronavirus. 

The royal family have been slowly returning to public duties as lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, and Charles has already attended a ceremony welcoming France’s President Macron to the UK and met health and care workers at a hospital in Gloucester last month.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also been meeting the public, visiting local businesses close to their Norfolk home.

The royal and Sadiq Khan were sure to keep their distance in a bid to adhere to social guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic

A smiling Prince Charles learned that the Tube network has maintained 50% of services at the height of the outbreak when a third of staff were ill, shielding or self-isolating

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan showed Charles around Ashfield House – which is TfL’s main training centre

The royal looks in high spirits as he continues to slowly return to royal engagements as the lockdown restrictions begin to ease. Pictured, with Sadiq Khan

Prince Charles uses his signature socially-distant greeting (pictured) as he visits the TFL training centre 

Prince Charles donned a navy blue striped suit for his visit – as he slowly returns to royal duties amid the coronavirus pandemic

Yesterday, Charles championed Britain’s rural tourism when he visited celebrity farmer Adam Henson’s farm attraction – and found himself surrounded by piglets.

Charles toured Cotsworld Farm Park in Guiting Power near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire – a rare breed centre visited by 150,000 people a year which opens its doors to the public on Saturday after months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The heir to the throne was keen to learn how the attraction and a 1,600-acre holding both run by Henson, who co-presents the BBC’s Countryfile programme, were coping during the pandemic which has seen businesses suffering financially.

In a lighter moment the prince was taken into a small field and shown an inquisitive Gloucestershire old spot sow and her energetic piglets, after Henson tempted them over by pouring feed into a trough.

The 71-year-old has been slowly returning to public duties as lockdown restrictions have been relaxed

Prince Charles was all smiles during his visit to Ashfield House -which has been in operation throughout the pandemic, providing training to station staff

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan arrives to meet key workers from Transport for London, who have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic along with Prince Charles

The Prince of Wales and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan met with key workers – before thanking them for their tireless hard work amid COVID-19

Prince of Wales with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (L) meets Dane, Customer Service Supervisor (second right) and other key workers from Transport for London, who have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic

The Prince of Wales is greeted by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as he arrives – but the duo ensure to maintain a 2 metre distance between them

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