DOWNING Street backed Kensington Palace after Kate and Will’s nationwide tour to thank key workers was criticised by the devolved nations.
No10 eventually threw their support behind the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s work trip after the Welsh and Scottish government said their train tour was “unnecessary” and encouraged people to break covid restrictions.
The PM’s spokesperson originally said it was a “matter for the palace” but then u-turned and added the “tour will be a welcome morale boost” to workers
A No10 spokesperson said: “The PM is delighted to see the warm reception the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have received on their hugely valuable train tour of England, Scotland and Wales.
“The tour will be a welcome morale boost to frontline workers who have done so much during the pandemic.”
Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething had criticised the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s decision to travel to Wales as Covid cases rise, saying he would prefer it if “no-one was having unnecessary visits.”
Mr Gething – who broke lockdown rules eating chips in a park during the first lockdown – said William and Kate’s visit should not be used by people as an “excuse” to say they are “confused” about coronavirus regulations.
He said: “I’d rather that no-one was having unnecessary visits, and people always have divisive views about the monarchy, but their visit isn’t an excuse for people to say that they are confused about what they are being asked to do.”
On Monday Scotland’s First Nicola Sturgeon suggested the Duke and Duchess travelled to Edinburgh on Monday despite their office being made aware of restrictions for those wanting to cross the border.
