King Charles III has been spotted in Manchester as he begins his tour of the city and surrounding areas including Bolton.
The King travelled to Manchester via the royal train, his first time using it as monarch.
Charles has travelled overnight from Ayr in Scotland, close to where the 18th-century property Dumfries House, part of The Prince’s Foundation, is based.
On arrival to Manchester, a group of dignitaries were waiting to greet Charles who looked relaxed as he stepped out onto the train station platform.
The civic line-up included High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Lorraine Worsley-Carter, Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Follow live updates of King Charles III's visit to Bolton via our live blog here.
The first monarch to travel by train was Queen Victoria when she left Slough at noon on June 13, 1842 and travelled to London’s Paddington Station.
Prince Albert, a veteran of rail travel fascinated by the new technology, had persuaded Queen Victoria to board the train.
The royal family has enjoyed its own train since the Victorian era with the present royal carriages coming into service for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Why is King Charles III visiting Bolton today?
King Charles III is visiting Bolton to mark the 150th anniversary of the town hall.
It's the first appearance by a monarch in the town in some 35 years.
Many of Bolton’s residents are queuing up in the town centre to try and catch a glimpse of their Royal Highnesses.
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