Prince Charles arrived at Mountsorrel Railway Station on the footplate of a steam train during his royal visit on Wednesday (01.25.17).
The 68-year-old royal thrilled an enthusiastic crowd, which included 800 school children, as he made a dramatic entrance to the train platform, where he was greeted by a piper and a host of civic dignitaries.
Leah Gregson, 11, told the Leicester Mercury newspaper: "It was really fun and he seemed really nice."
The train ride represented Prince Charles’ last stop on his tour of the Leicestershire area and the royal took the time to unveil a plaque to officially open the nearby Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre.
His visit was warmly welcomed by people in the local area, including George Lees.
The nine-year-old primary school pupil said: "He shook my hand! He really shook my hand! He asked me if I liked my school and I said yes."
This comes shortly after a report revealed 52 percent of the British public would prefer to see Prince William succeed Queen Elizabeth rather than Prince Charles.
According to the report conducted by Opinium Research, just 27 percent of people would like to see Prince Charles become the King, while the report also revealed that 65 percent of UK adults still support a hereditary monarchy.
James Endersby, Managing Director of Opinium Research, said: "The monarchy clearly retains the support of the British public, and our tracker indicates that the institution is as popular now as it ever was.
"However, young people are not as invested as the older generation and this does raise questions about the future of the monarchy after the Queen – will the institution survive without one of history’s most respected sovereigns?"
Prince Charles makes dramatic entrance during royal visit
