Prince William and Kate Middleton begin their three-day tour in Ireland amidst the coronavirus scare. The Cambridges are reportedly taking advice about the virus as they have to continue meeting new people during their visit. But, in the middle of it all, the Duke of Cambridge made a huge joke about the infection that wasn't warmly received by everyone.
The future king talked about coronavirus as he chatted with emergency workers in Ireland at a reception hosted by Britain's Ambassador to the country Robin Barnett. At the time, they were on the 17th-floor Gravity Bar at Dublin's Guinness Storehouse.
According to Hello! Magazine, Prince William asked the National Ambulance Service's advance paramedic Joe Mooney if everyone felt like they had coronavirus and dying. At the same time, medical professionals would only tell them that they just got a cough. "Does it seem quite dramatic about Coronavirus at the moment? Is it a little bit hyped up do you think in the media?" he continued to question.
Kate Middleton's husband then grimaced in mock horror when he made a jest, saying the "Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus." "Sorry! We're keeping an eye on that, so do tell us if we need to stop!" he added.
Netizens didn't like Prince William's joke this time, suggesting he took it after his grandfather, Prince Philip, then with the "uncomfortable interactions." Another Twitter user added it is the main reason why Prince Harry would always be more famous than his older brother.
Another one gave a serious comment, explaining that a lot of people are worried about this virus, and here is Prince William making jokes about its symptoms like it's nothing serious. The second in line to the throne's comments come after NHS England declared coronavirus as a level four incident, the highest level of emergency preparedness planning, in the U.K, Express noted. At the moment, there were about 51 confirmed cases in the country.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson already launched the Government's plan to fight the possible epidemic that the coronavirus would bring in the U.K. However, a royal source confirmed Prince William and Kate Middleton are following guidance from Public Health England and the Department of Health as they would continue to shake hands with dozens of people in Ireland.
It means it will be business as usual for the two as they continue their state visit. Prince William and Kate Middleton already enjoyed a pint of Guinness at the historic Dublin brewery of the Irish Stout as the Duke made a toast, raised his pint, and said "Slainte," a common word for toast in Ireland that means "health."
