Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting criticisms for their recently concluded Royal Train Tour to thank key workers in the United Kingdom as officials expressed that the Cambridges embarked on non-essential visits during a pandemic crisis.
In an interview with BBC radio, Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething used the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal trip as an example to urge people not to make unnecessary visits. He said that Prince William and Kate sent a confusing signal to the public, who might make excuses to flout the government's guidelines.
Scotland leader Nicola Sturgeon also took a swipe at Prince William and Kate, who still proceeded with their visit in the highlands despite apparently being informed of the COVID-19 restrictions. According to Daily Mail, the First Minister didn't welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and also received criticisms herself for being "rude" and "unsubtle" towards the working royals. Reports cited that Sturgeon tried to block the Cambridges' trip.
William and Kate were in the south of Scotland, in the border between England, on Monday to meet ambulance workers, charity and volunteers, as well as schoolchildren and teachers. The Cambridge pair arrived in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, on their final Royal Train Tour stop on Tuesday.
Aside from personally meeting medical personnel and frontline workers, Prince William and Kate wanted to bring some Christmas joy amid these trying times. Kensington Palace stated that the royal couple had been excited to personally extend their gratitude for the key workers who kept the country going despite two major nationwide lockdowns to slow down the spread of the virus.
The government of Scotland and Wales have a different set of COVID-19 protocols compared to England though it's still part of the U.K. Health officials have particularly discouraged the locals from traveling to other regions except for essential work or a reasonable excuse.
Despite the criticisms, the office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he's been "delighted" about the outcome of the Royal Train Tour. Downing Street issued a statement late Tuesday to say that the Cambridge pair's visit was "highly valuable" as it boosted the morale of the key workers.
After their tour wrapped, Prince William and Kate headed to Windsor Castle to reunite with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and the rest of the working royals. It's the first time the royals got together since Her Majesty has been staying in isolation from the virus infection.
