London (UK), July 1 (LaPresse) – King Charles III has agreed that the time has come to retire the royal train after 156 years of service because it is too costly and would require a major upgrade to incorporate more advanced railway systems. Buckingham Palace announced the decision.
“To move forward, we must not be bound by the past,” said James Chalmers, the royal official responsible for the King’s financial affairs. “Just as many aspects of the royal family’s work have modernized and adapted to today’s world, it is time to say a fond farewell, while remaining disciplined and forward-looking in allocating funds.”
The train, a suite of nine carriages that can be attached to commercial locomotives, will be retired before the current maintenance contract expires in 2027.
This marks the end of a tradition dating back to 1869, when Queen Victoria commissioned a pair of special carriages for her travels.
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