King Charles III arrived in Lancaster, Lancashire, on February 12, 2026, to meet with local residents and perform traditional duties, including the historic Ceremony of the Keys at the city’s castle. The King travelled to the area using the Royal Train, marking a high-profile visit in his role as the Duke of Lancaster.
During a public walkabout where the King met with crowds, a member of the public shouted questions regarding Prince Andrew and his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, asking how long the King had known about the matter. Other people standing nearby reacted by telling the individual to be quiet and calling for them to be removed, according to reports from royal observer @Gertsroyals (Gertrude Daly).
The visit included a stop at Lancaster Castle for ceremonial tasks that have been part of local history for hundreds of years. The Royal Family has previously noted that these engagements are a key way for the monarch to connect with people living in the North West and reinforce the Sovereign’s historic ties to the Duchy.
This trip is one of the final journeys for the Royal Train, which is expected to be taken out of service by early 2027. The decision to retire the train, announced in June 2025, was made to help modernise royal travel, improve environmental sustainability, and reduce the ongoing costs of maintaining the vintage carriages.
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