Royals organise for children to meet reindeer as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge seek out Seaham farmer's herd

William and Kate went to Holy Trinity First School in Berwick-upon-Tweed earlier today, Monday, December 7, where they thanked teachers for their efforts to support learning during the coronavirus crisis.

The couple are travelling around the country on the royal train, expressing their gratitude to people who kept the country going during lockdown.

As a treat for the Berwick school’s 175 pupils, Kensington Palace arranged for Rent A Reindeer to take three animals to the site after contacting George Richardson, who cares for them alongside his family garden centre business in Cold Hesledon.

Chaz, Crackers and her six-month-old calf Echols, who are part of a herd which graze in view of the A19 a short distance from the garden centre, met the youngsters.

The trio munched on hay bales and their favourite treat of Arctic moss while they were penned in under a tent.

They were also introduced to William and Kate, with George explaining to them how they are cared for and how coronavirus has affected his business, with the festive time usually the busiest for his ventures.

George said: “We got a phone call out of the blue two weeks ago. They asked us to bring a reindeer for the royal visit and we were happy to oblige.

“We brought these three as a group, although Chaz is not the dad as he has been castrated – he is the uncle.

“Mum and baby go with him and they are a nice group.

“This was baby’s first outing and she took it in her stride.”

As local saxophone group The Earl Grey Saxes played Christmas tunes, including Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, William and Kate chatted to pupils and teachers in the playground.

Some of the children wore antlers on their heads and some donned Santa hats for the lunchtime visit.

The duke and duchess sanitised their hands as they entered the school grounds, a short drive from Berwick railway station.

After the visit, headteacher Nicholas Shaw said: “It has been fantastic and the children loved it."

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