The King visits Pickering

There was a special start to the visit, as His Majesty’s train arrived in the station being pulled by the Flying Scotsman.

This was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the famous engine and entering service and the 50th anniversary of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

On the platform at Pickering Heritage Railway Station, The King met the custodian of Flying Scotsman, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Mrs Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum which is home to the Flying Scotsman – the first locomotive to reach 100mph.

After viewing the footplate of the Flying Scotsman, His Majesty had the opportunity to meet staff and volunteers who have helped the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Flying Scotsman reach its significant milestone.

At the ticket hall, The King unveiled a plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of the heritage railway.

After departing the station, His Majesty visited some local shops on Pickering’s Market Place including Birdgate Chocolatiers, a handmade chocolatier and ice-cream shop that uses locally-sourced ingredients and Horsley Butchers which sells produce from the Duchy of Lancaster.

After meeting shop owners, His Majesty headed to St Peter and St Paul's Church, which contains some of the most complete sets of medieval wall paintings in Britain and were only first accidentally rediscovered behind plaster in 1852.

On a tour of the Church with its Vicar, Reverend Gareth Atha and Dr Kate Giles Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture and Senior Lecturer at the University of York, The King learnt more about the significance of the medieval paintings.

Before departing, His Majesty signed a visitors’ book. The last Royal visit to the Church was in 1937 by Queen Mary.