A CENTURIES-old royal tradition has been captured on camera for the first time, following a rare overnight stay of the Royal Train on the South Devon Railway just before Christmas.

Newly released images by royal photographer Jack Boskett document a little-known but deeply symbolic moment in royal rail travel: the delivery of the Monarch’s morning newspapers to the Royal Train.

While long recognised as part of Royal Train protocol, the tradition has rarely been witnessed and, as far as the railway is aware, has never before been photographed.

The images were taken during an overnight stop on the Totnes to Buckfastleigh branch while King Charles III travelled to Devon to attend a passing-out parade at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

The visit marked the first time in 63 years that the Royal Train had stayed overnight on this historic stretch of line, which is now operated by a charity as a popular heritage attraction.

As hosts, South Devon Railway staff were entrusted with operational responsibility of the train during the stopover.

This included manning the train and carrying out the carefully choreographed newspaper delivery, a duty traditionally overseen by the local station master or, in modern times, the area operations manager.

On this occasion, the task fell to a railway volunteer staff member, who collected the papers from Bridgetown Stores in Totnes, drove them to a nearby level crossing, and then walked along the tracks to the stabled train in the early hours of the morning.

The photographs capture the scene as dawn broke, with mist rising from the River Dart.

The significance of the visit is heightened by the impending demise of the Royal Train itself.

Due to be withdrawn from service in 2027 as part of changes to royal travel arrangements, this may prove to be one of the last occasions the train has travelled, and stayed overnight, on a privately operated railway.

For South Devon Railway, the visit was both an honour and a testament to the professionalism of its people.

South Devon Railway General Manager, Ernest Elsworth-Wilson, said: ‘It was a privilege to be trusted with such a responsibility.

‘These photographs capture not just a moment in time, but a tradition that reflects the deep history of Britain’s railways and the quiet rituals that still endure’.

Kajal Patel, owner of Bridgetown Stores, said: ‘I had no idea!

‘I am amazed and delighted to hear that we have supplied newspapers for the King’.