There’s been a bit of a Welsh theme on the latest Royal Tour. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge not only dropped into Cardiff, but received a rock and roll send-off for their country-wide tour by royal train when Shakin’ Stevens performed his classic festive hit ‘Merry Christmas Everyone.’

Before William and Kate boarded the train, ‘Shaky’ sang his number one hit single Merry Christmas Everyone for the couple and a group of transport workers.

The Duke and Duchess, who wore face masks, set off on Sunday evening from London’s Euston station on a 1,250-mile, three-day, tour, which will see them thank communities, outstanding individuals and key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before they left, they wrote a special message for the transport workers.

Although the couple were only three years old when the song first made it into the charts, it was actually picked by the royal couple as the song they wanted to hear. As Shaky sang, the Duchess tapped her foot and swayed to the music.

Although he’s been in the music business for more years than he cares to remember, Shaky said this was the first time he’d performed for royalty, which seems incredible considering just how many hits he’s had.

He said……..

“I’m loving it, it was lovely to be invited. The couple are certainly fans of my festive hit, they picked it!”

When he was asked about the moment he got the call asking him to perform, he said…..

“Absolutely hanging from the moon.”

When Shaky was asked about William and Kate’s decision to travel around the country thanking those who have made sacrifices this year, he said…..

“It’s lovely to give back isn’t it? It’s nice to give back and they are leading the way.

It needs something to cheer us up doesn’t it? Because what we’ve got, we don’t know how long it’s going to go on for, so you have got to keep your pecker up.”

This comes on the week when Shaky announces his biggest collection of songs ever, and believe us, it’s a massive boxed set.

â€?Fire In The Blood’ is the biggest and most complete collection of Shaky’s recordings ever undertaken – a celebration of the achievements of an enduring artist whose chart statistics, however phenomenal, tell only part of his story. From his solo debut album on Track Records, â€?Shakin’ Stevens’, to the recent success of the album â€?Echoes Of Our Times’.

Shaky shares with the Beatles (60s), and Elton John (70s), the distinction of being the most successful UK singles chart performer of a decade (80s), as confirmed by the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles and Albums. His success was mirrored throughout Europe and Internationally, earning Platinum and Double Platinum, and Gold awards for his albums and singles.

A signed version of the set is available below…….

Back to the royal tour and there was a less than enthusiastic welcome from politicians here in Wales.

The Welsh health minister, Vaughan Gething said:

“I’d rather that no one was having unnecessary visits and people always have divisive views about the monarchy, but their visit isn’t an excuse for people to say that they are confused about what they are being asked to do.”

Asked on Radio 4’s Today programme whether the short tour should still go ahead, Mr Gething said……

“I’m not particularly bothered or interested because I don’t think that is going to be an excuse for people to say, â€?I should go and behave in a different way and I should act as if the harm that is being seen in front of us in every part of our healthcare system is not taking place’.”

SOUTH WALES LIFE understands the visits were planned in consultation with the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments, and as the couple were working, they were exempt from any border restrictions.

William and Kate arrived at Cardiff Castle just before 9:30 this morning (Tuesday), welcomed by the Samba Galez Band, Wales’ longest running Samba Band, who have been supported during the pandemic through the UK Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The couple walked along the path adorned with huge Alice in Wonderland figures, then made their way over the hot chocolate stall among a mini-Christmas market, where the couple met with some Cardiff University students.

Students from three universities in South Wales had the honour of meeting Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Cardiff Castle this morning.

As part of the whistle-stop tour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited Cardiff to meet local university students to hear about some of the challenges they have experienced during the pandemic, with a particular focus on mental health.

Students from Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales met Their Royal Highnesses to discuss their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the universities and the student unions have supported them in their mental health, in what has been a very challenging year.

The Duke and Duchess visited the groups of students to enjoy the Christmas festivities at the castle in a socially distanced setting.