King Charles reacts to heartbreaking news: 'Greatly saddened'

Palace issued a statement saying King Charles was "greatly saddened"

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Published June 20, 2026
"His thoughts ⁠and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident."

King Charles has reacted to a heartbreaking news and the monarch is being kept regularly updated on developments, the palace has confirmed.

British Transport Police said on Saturday a train driver had died when two trains collided north of London, in an accident the previous afternoon that also left 11 people seriously injured.

The crash near Bedford involved two London-bound trains on the same track, according to East Midlands Railway (EMR), which operates both trains.

"Tragically, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. He is the driver of one of the trains involved," transport police said in a statement.

In total, 33 people were taken to hospital, including 11 in serious condition, the police added. Another 56 people were treated for injuries.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said it was "too early to speculate" on the cause of the crash.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying King Charles was "greatly saddened" by the crash and sent "his thoughts and sympathies" to the dead man´s family and those injured.

The palace says: "His Majesty is greatly ⁠saddened by the rail crash in Bedford yesterday evening and is being kept regularly updated on developments.

"His thoughts ⁠and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident."

Mukhtar Ahmed Junejo
Mukhtar Ahmed Junejo is the Deputy News Editor at The News International (Digital) with over 10 years of experience. He specialises in real-time reporting on the British Royal Family and analyses monarchy transitions, internal dynamics, and global media narratives. He also covers high-profile celebrity news and international human-interest stories.
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