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.
The park opens its doors to the public on Saturday after months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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
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.
Charles was seen grinning throughout function and was seen laughing with both the London Mayor and the key workers.
Charles was seen grinning as he departed after meeting key workers from Transport for London
Environmentally-conscious Charles left the function after meeting the workers in his Audi etron electric car
The Prince of Wales and Mayor of London were seen laughing together during a visit to London Underground’s training headquarters in West Kensington
Ahead of the meeting Sadiq Khan greeted the royal with Charles’ signature socially-distant greeting
The pair chatted with Mike Brown MVO, Commissioner of Transport (second right) and Andy Byford, Commissioner of Transport (right)
Transport for London staff who have helped to maintain the tube service throughout the coronavirus crisis seemed in good spirits as they chatted to the pair
The Prince of Wales chatted with members of the Transport for London staff
Charles and Sadiq Khan kept their distance as they chatted to Transport for London staff