The redeveloped King’s Cross station in London has been given the royal seal of approval following a tour of the new train shed and new western concourse by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

The heir to the throne and his wife travelled by tube from Farringdon to King’s Cross station, part of the commemorations of London Underground’s 150th anniversary - and to celebrate the role of engineering and infrastructure in the UK.

While security was the prime consideration, the station had to keep operating as normal during the visit.

The royal party were accompanied around King’s Cross by Robin Gisby, managing director, network operations, Network Rail, and John McAslan, lead architect on the station redevelopment, which opened in March 2012 as part of plans to expand capacity and upgrade station facilities.

Royal connection

The royal couple also visited King’s Cross Square construction site along the station’s southern frontage, which is due to open this autumn.

Once complete, the new square will reveal the historic station’s original Lewis Cubitt façade for the first time in a century.

Cubitt is the Duchess of Cornwall’s great, great, great uncle.

Major improvement programme

Earlier, the Prince and Duchess visited both the recently refurbished Farringdon tube station and the Crossrail construction site at Farringdon station.

They met some of the apprentices involved with the project, and heard how the station will become a major hub, linking Crossrail and Thameslink, along with London Underground, National Rail, Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground lines.