King Charles drives tram-train on birthday trip

15 Nov 2025 • 3:04 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • King Charles marked his 77th birthday by officially opening the new South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well, near Cardiff.
  • During the visit, the monarch briefly took the controls of a tram-train named Myddfai and engaged with Transport for Wales staff.
  • The purpose-built depot, a £1 billion project, will maintain a fleet of 36 tram-trains, create 400 jobs, and is set to launch next year.
  • Earlier, the King and Queen attended a birthday reception at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, where he cut a replica cake.
  • The King's birthday follows a period of significant personal and public events, including a cancer diagnosis, his brother Andrew's scandal, and historic visits to the Vatican and with US President Donald Trump.

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