Now WALES joins Nicola Sturgeon in swiping at Kate and William over their cross-Britain tour to thank frontline workers, with health minister saying it must not be an ‘excuse’ to break coronavirus rules
- William and Kate touring Britain to thank frontline workers during Covid crisis
- Welsh minister says he would ‘rather no-one was having unnecessary trips’
- Nicola Sturgeon faced a backlash over ‘petty’ jibe at royal couple yesterday
A Welsh minister swiped at William and Kate over their cross-Britain tour to thank frontline workers today – warning it must not be an ‘excuse’ for people to break coronavirus rules.
Health minister Vaughan Gething delivered a thinly-veiled rebuke to the royals after he was asked about their 48-hour rail trip stopping in England, Scotland and Wales.
Mr Gething told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘I’d rather that no-one was having unnecessary visits.’
He added: ‘People have views about the monarchy. But their visit isn’t an excuse for people to say they are confused about what they are being asked to do.’
Pressed on whether the royal couple should not be coming to Wales, he replied: ‘I’m not particularly that bothered or interested.
‘Because I don’t think that is going to be an excuse for people to say, ”I should go and behave in a different way”.’
The comments came after Nicola Sturgeon faced a backlash yesterday for a ‘rude’ and ‘petty’ jibe at the couple over their trip.
William and Kate (pictured in Manchester yesterday) have been travelling on board the Royal Train for on a nine-stop whirlwind, 48 hour, 1,250-mile tour across England, Scotland and Wales
Health minister Vaughan Gething delivered a thinly-veiled rebuke to the royals after he was asked about their 48-hour rail trip stopping in England, Scotland and Wales
William and Kate have been travelling on board the Royal Train for on a nine-stop whirlwind, 48 hour, 1,250-mile tour across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Royals arrived in Edinburgh yesterday morning to the sound of bagpipes serenading them with Christmas songs, before meeting workers at a Scottish Ambulance Service hub.
The pair are attempting to spread festive cheer to frontline workers ahead of the Christmas holidays.
The tour is also designed to showcase the UK’s arts, heritage and live performance sector, which has been supported throughout the pandemic by the Government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund.
But Ms Sturgeon did not extend a welcome message to the couple during her daily briefing yesterday – despite being asked about the trip.
Instead, Ms Sturgeon said: ‘The Scottish Government was advised about the intention to visit, and we made sure that the Royal Household were aware, as you would expect, of the restrictions in place in Scotland so that could inform both the decision and the planning of the visit.’
Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a snap with their 12million Instagram followers wihle waiting for their Royal train at Batley station, in West Yorkshire yesterday
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took some festive cheer with them on their royal train tour of the country, as they met delighted youngsters at the Holy Trinity Church of England First School in Berwick-upon-Tweed yesterday
The Scottish leader (pictured yesterday) said she had reminded the Palace of the country’s strict Covid restrictions north of the border ahead their morale boosting tour
‘Any more questions on that should be directed to the Royal household,’ she added.
The Scottish government said Ms Sturgeon did not try to stop the Royals from going to Scotland, adding she simply reiterated the guidance in place. A spokeswoman later said: ‘The First Minister welcomes the support shown by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for Scotland’s NHS.’
One Tory MP MP told MailOnline of Ms Sturgeon’s remarks: ‘This man is the future King of Scotland.
‘It is very unsubtle and I think it will backfire on her because there are a lot of loyalist Scots who would be pretty appalled that she would behave in such a rude manner. She should know better.’