Prince Harry has recorded a special introduction to a new royal episode of Thomas & Friends, in honour of Thomas the Tank Engine's 75th anniversary.
Set to air on Channel 5 on 2 May, the new episode, Thomas & Friends: The Royal Engine, features Her Majesty the Queen as well as a young Prince Charles, and sees Thomas the Tank Engine travel to London for the first time.
The Duke of Sussex – who recorded his on-camera message from an armchair at Buckingham Palace back in January with a donation made to charity – said in a release: "Thomas the Tank Engine has been a comforting, familiar face to so many families over the last 75 years – entertaining, educating and inspiring children on important issues through exciting stories and characters.
"I certainly have fond memories of growing up with Thomas & Friends and being transported to new places through his adventures. I am very proud to have been asked to take part in this special episode. I wish Thomas & Friends a very happy anniversary.”
In the 22-minute special, The Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hatt, is invited to London by the Queen to receive an award and her young son, the Prince of Wales, asks that Thomas be the train to bring him there. Since this is Thomas’ first-time visiting the capital, he gets lost along the way and finds himself in a few messy predicaments, but he and Sir Topham Hatt work together to make up for their delay.
During their journey, Thomas also encounters a very important-looking new engine called the Duchess of Loughborough, which is voiced by Gone Girl star Rosamund Pike.
The royal special isn't the only way Thomas the Tank Engine's 75th anniversary will be celebrated. There are also plans for exclusive YouTube content, a birthday music album, podcasts for children in the form of audio stories and all-new book titles so, if the little ones in your life are fans, then there's plenty to look forward to.
Thomas & Friends: The Royal Engine will air with a special introduction by Prince Harry at 9.05am on 2 May on Channel 5's Milkshake!
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