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Subscribe to RSSThe last time Prince Charles took the London Underground, the driver wore a peaked cap. But decades after that journey, the prince renewed his acquaintance with the rail network that moves three million of his fellow Londoners every day, celebrating the Tube's 150st anniversary. ITV's Damon Green reports.
All forms of human life can be spotted traveling on London’s underground ‘Tube’ network, but there was a rare appearance Wednesday by Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.
The heir to the throne made a journey on the system’s Metropolitan line to mark the 150th birthday of the Tube.
Unlike most commuters on the creaking system, the Royal couple were able to find a seat for their one-stop journey, because the train was empty, according to BBC reporter Peter Hunt.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, as the pair are formally known, traveled one stop westbound from Farringdon to Kings Cross.
It is the first time Charles has used the Tube in 33 years, according to the Daily Telegraph. The last time was in April 1979 when he opened the first stage of the then-new Jubilee line.
The royals were presented with special commemorative Oyster swipe cards by staff to use to open turnstiles at each end of their journey.
The cards were each loaded electronically to the value of £10, Hunt reported. However, neither needed to pay as everyone over the age of 60 is entitled to free travel on public transportation in London.
@bbcpeterhunt @drearyagent Unless he's on it at 8am, he will still have no idea. "Experiencing" the tube at 11am is cheating.
— Sarah Churchwell (@sarahchurchwell) January 30, 2013
At Kings Cross, the couple returned above ground to the main line station where they saw a plaque marking ‘Platform 9 and ¾’ – the fictitious departure point for the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter novels.
A record 1.171 billion passenger journeys were made during the 2011-12 financial year, across a city-run network that now covers 249 miles and connects 270 stations on 12 lines.
It is a remarkable milestone for the network, carved from the hot clay beneath London’s streets and which survived the bombs of World War Two.
Abraham Lincoln was president when the world’s first subterranean passenger service opened between Paddington and Farringdon on Jan. 9, 1863.
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I would figure that half of the people in their car on the train were Bobbies.
Or they were stoned?
Yea, yea...I understand that Royals are really people who live off other regular peoples' tax money...subway one day...private limo most days...all paid by the rest of the every day subway people.
I have no comment on this story...well...just this one.
That awkward moment when your sitting on the tube listening to your iPod and the royal family comes out of nowhere and sits down next to you- I can totally relate. No, not really. O_O
The next thing you know, they will be going to a Laundromat to do their laundry.
What a phony photo op by a phony family.
Charles, shouldn't you be at the Polo Club in Palm Beach playing a few chukkers? For you non-polo players, that's a 7 and 1/2 minute period in a polo match.
For a REAL subway ride, Chuck and the Missus need to experience Washington DC's Metro (aka Retro, aka Sweatro). That is, if the train ever arrives on time, and, if the train's doors close, and, if there's not a sick passenger, and, if they're quads are conditioned to hike up escalator-brokened steps, and, if they have 1/2 a day's pay ready to load on their Dumb-, er uh Smartrip cards.
Hahaha, DC Metro is like, a futuristic luxury compared to NY's subway! They can come here to experience mugging and perhaps, getting shoved onto the tracks by some nutjob.
"retro aka sweatro"...LOL good one.
I guess they have to venture outside of their "safe" bubble from time to time to let the 'common folk' know they are just one of them. At least our political and entertaiment 'stars' had to earn their royalty by having some talent or celebutante family ties. But these people are where they are due to selective breeding. You just have to go back so far in time to find the time when their ancestors were just common folk like the rest of us.
Its not easy being a figurehead Im sure.
'Oh, what to wear, what to wear'
'Jeeves. When you are done wiping the royal bum could you lay out something common looking . We shall be riding the tube today.'
'Oh, Cowmilla. Did I say that right? They do still call it the tube don't they?'
congratulations!!! they used the tube once in 33 years, now they really can say they experience the common people's life. There is no difference between them and any London's blue collars...... yes right!!!
I think it is shameful even to see this picture joke.
Dumb story, would have been better if the subway system there gave free rides to 150 customrs marking the day, and a few lucky rider get a free annual pass.
Congratulations!!! They used the tube once in 33 years, now they can claim they experienced the London's blue collars' life. There is no difference between them and the working class....yes right!!!
I think this picture it is just shameful, a royal family that does not have any idea of life of the commoners
I rode the bus yesterday. (that's every bit as interesting as this story)
so that was you!
People over 60 ride free people! On all public transportation!
And all you can do is vent your envy of Britain's much better form of Govement.
Your pathetic, do nothing Congress, the infantile Supreme Court, the only good thing is Obama, a great President and yet half the country hate him.
And Obama is great how?
Well, I think it is good thing, so they can see how the others commute around in the city.
I hope Americans noted that
neither needed to pay as everyone over the age of 60 is entitled to free travel on public transportation in London.
What a civilized country. Spending its resources on free transportation for older people and providing decent health care for everyone, instead of spending more on the military than the rest of the world combined.
Health care has been available for all for years, even lazy asses. It is called welfare.
who cares. this is not news...............elephant ears and horse face are unless in the grand scheme.........
The point is not about the royals, it's about the system. I had the privilege of riding several times when I was in London this past spring. Easy to follow, if you make a mistake, get off at the next station. Never had to wait more than a minute or two. Clean, some people were friendly. It's a great system, and it should be congratulated.
i listened this news on Ghana Radio