It's Secret Santa & 'Christmas at the Castle' for the Final Day of the Royal Train Mini-Tour

The final day of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's UK mini-tour on the royal train kicked off in festive form with a visit to Cardiff.

William and Kate arriving.

#RoyalTrainTour day 2, first stop: Cardiff pic.twitter.com/QOPUD4aqIb

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) December 8, 2020

The couple boarded the royal train on Sunday night and undertook several stops yesterday in Scotland, Batley and Manchester before travelling overnight on the Queen's preferred mode of transport. The trip has seen the Cambridges travel 1,250 miles and undertake working visits, meeting frontline workers, volunteers, care home staff, teachers, schoolchildren and young people to hear about their experiences, sacrifices and the inspiring work they have done throughout this challenging year. The itinerary was planned to "pass on the nation’s sincere thanks and gratitude for all of their efforts to keep people safe and keep the country going".

Their first stop was 'Christmas at the Castle', -- Cardiff Castle. It is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located within beautiful parklands at the heart of the capital, the Castle’s walls and fairy-tale towers conceal 2,000 years of history.

A brief summary of the fascinating history of the castle:

'The Roman fort at Cardiff was probably established at the end of the 50s AD, on a strategic site that afforded easy access to the sea. Archaeological excavations indicate that this was the first of four forts, each a different size, that occupied the present site. Remains of the Roman wall can be seen today. After the Norman conquest, the Castle’s keep was built, re-using the site of the Roman fort. The first keep on the motte, erected by Robert Fitzhamon, Norman Lord of Gloucester, was probably built of wood. Further medieval fortifications and dwellings followed over the years.

The Castle passed through the hands of many noble families until in 1766, it passed by marriage to the Bute family. The 2nd Marquess of Bute was responsible for turning Cardiff into the world’s greatest coal exporting port. The Castle and Bute fortune passed to his son John, the 3rd Marquess of Bute, who by the 1860s was reputed to be the richest man in the world.

From 1866 the 3rd Marquess employed the genius architect William Burges to transform the Castle lodgings. Within gothic towers he created lavish and opulent interiors, rich with murals, stained glass, marble, gilding and elaborate wood carvings. Each room has its own special theme, including Mediterranean gardens and Italian and Arabian decoration. The 3rd Marquess died when he was only 53 in 1900. Despite huge death duties on the estate, the 4th Marquess completed many of his father’s restoration projects including the reconstruction of the Roman wall. The Bute family continued to stay at the Castle throughout the 1920s and 1930s, although they had sold off many of their business interests in south Wales.'

Following the death of the 4th Marquess of Bute, the family decided to give the Castle and much of its parkland to the city of Cardiff. For 25 years, the Castle was home to the National College of Music and Drama, and since 1974 has become one of Wales’ most popular visitor attractions.

They enjoyed a fabulous performance by Samba Galez, Wales' longest running Samba band, and were able to hear how the performers are supported by the government's culture recovery fund.

The Duke and Duchess joined students from Cardiff University to discuss their mental health and how it's been affected by the pandemic.

Wales Online shared more information about the engagement:

'Kay Dennis, welfare officer, said: "They were lovely, it was exciting to be given the opportunity to talk to them.

"They were really interested in what we have have been doing in the students' union with mental health."

Kay added that they spoke about the opportunities for young carers and parents to attend university and the need to tackle digital disadvantages between students.

They said: "This is something that has been such a learning curve. We are so proud of our students, they have been so resilient."

The couple joined the group toasting marshmallows.

Hello! reports:

'Touching one of the sticky sweet treats with her gloved hand, Kate laughed and said: "I'm going to have that marshmallow on my fingers all day."

She said she ordered large marshmallows for George, Charlotte and Louis for their bonfire night celebrations because small ones normally slip off onto the fire.

"I ordered them for the children. There was a bit of a sugar rush," she added.'

Talk quickly turned to plans for Christmas, the Cambridges revealing they are still undecided about how they will spend the period. "It is so difficult. We are still trying to make plans. It's difficult to know what to do for the best." The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate at Windsor this year; it's been reported the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children may be included "in their bubble". Prince Charles will visit his parents, but will officially spend Christmas with Camilla at their country home, Highgrove. It is thought -- though not confirmed -- William and Kate will opt for Bucklebury or Anmer Hall this year.

 More from People:

'The royal parents were asking how the students were making arrangements for their family Christmases. “They said it’s hard to make plans with all the guidelines and they were trying to work out what the safest plans were for them,” Lily Faulkner, 21, a Cardiff University politics and international relations student tells PEOPLE. “They are great mental health advocates. When you struggle with your mental health and are lonely and you hear that the Duke ands Duchess of Cambridge are supporting you, and what you’re going through, it is uplifting.'

Then it was time to trade Secret Santa presents. Student Luke Wilson gave William a Guinness coaster set and Gwennan Lewis gave the Duchess a Welsh lovespoon. In return, Jacob and Emma received a mini table football set and Prosecco pong set from the royals.

They both looked delighted with their gifts, and William joked about his Guinness set, saying, "I think that says a lot about me!"

A nice wrap-up video from the engagement.

From there, the Cambridges boarded the train to Bath.

At Cleeve Court Care Home, William and Kate paid tribute to the tireless efforts of care staff across the country, hearing about their experiences providing care during the pandemic.

Hello! writes:

'As they arrived at their next stop in Bath, the Duke and Duchess took time to meet and chat with Jasmine Warner, five, whose brother Otto, eight, has today come out of cancer treatment and was by chance hoping to meet the royal couple with his family, including sister Poppy, ten, and mum Georgie.'

I know for my own family, and so many of you reading this, the most difficult aspect of the pandemic has been not seeing loved ones for lengthy periods of time. This is particularly painful if it's an elderly loved one with a serious illness.

I read this story last month on the BBC about Welsh woman Jacqueline Owen-Jones and thought it appropriate to share.

'Richard Breeze, 86, an RAF veteran, died last Wednesday just days after testing positive for coronavirus.

His daughter Jacqueline Owen-Jones, from Llanbradach, Caerphilly, called for testing improvements so relatives can visit care homes more easily. A Welsh Government spokesperson said new testing technology would be prioritised for care homes.

Jacqueine said: "Yes, I can look at videos but it's still going to be heartbreaking because I can't physically just grab out and say I've touched dad for the last time. It's just seeing that person.

"On a phone or a video it's great but it's not the same." She last saw her father in March and his condition deteriorated so quickly last week, she was not able to make a final visit.

"I am shattered at the moment and I don't think anyone will know how I really feel," she added. "I am a strong person normally but this has really knocked me for six."'

William and Kate meeting with residents to discuss how they've coped.