Prince William cracked a joke about the deadly coronavirus during his most recent royal engagement in Ireland. The Duke of Cambridge and his wife, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, are in their neighboring country for a three-day official visit.
The duke seemingly apologized for spreading the disease as he shook hands with healthcare workers at a royal reception in Dublin. Prince William reportedly talked with one of the paramedics and remarked that coronavirus could be "a little hyped up" in the media.
In another instance, the Duke of Cambridge was heard telling the healthcare workers that he and Kate are keeping an eye on the spread of coronavirus. He asked them to advise the royals if they must need to stop meeting and greeting with people in public.
According to CNN, Prince William and Kate are heeding to the guidance released by the Public Health England on the threat of the disease. Most of U.K., however, are pressing on as "business as usual."
Prince William's joke comes as his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, wore gloves when she shook hands with guests during an investiture ceremony in London. Buckingham Palace, however, said that this was far from unusual as the Queen usually wears gloves in some royal engagements.
Thousands in the U.K. have been tested for the disease and about 87 patients have been positive for coronavirus, as of press time. Majority of the infected are in England, while some are from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate met with President Micheal D. Higgins and his wife Sabina upon their arrival. The Cambridges also had an audience with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Matthew Barret at the Government Buildings.
Prince William and Kate also graced a reception at the Guinness Storehouse and visited Howth Cliff, a popular tourist spot in Dublin. Environment Minister Richard Bruton was waiting for them at the top of the summit. Apparently, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge asked to see Ireland's coastline and was invited to climb this spot.
The couple then went to a meath farm trip to see the work of the Teagasc Animal Bioscience Research Centre. They discussed with a specialist about biodiversity. Kate was then spotted checking out the grocery store, Kildare Londis. She met with some young women who are part of the Kildare charity.
This Ireland trip is the first official royal visit for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The couple are bound for Australia for their next royal tour.
