Tone deaf? Prince William’s tour was criticized amid the epidemic

LONDON (AP) – The national train tour of Prince William and his wife Kate has received a frosty welcome from leaders in Wales and Scotland, with a Welsh official saying “no one makes unwanted visits” during the Corona virus outbreak.

William and Kate arrived in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, on Tuesday for the final day of a three-day state train journey, to spread the Christmas spirit and thank medical staff and other leading staff for their hard, dangerous work during epidemics.

But Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Keith said on BBC radio that he was “not particularly worried or interested” and asked if the couple should go to Wales when there are more Govt-19 infections in the region.

Gating said on Monday that Wales was the only part of the UK where the incidence of infections was low by the end of November, and warned that more restrictions may be needed.

Asked if this was the right time for the royal couple to visit, Keith said Tuesday: “I wish no one was having unwanted visits. People always have divided opinions about the monarchy, but there is no excuse to say that their attendees are confused as to what the people are being asked to do. ”

On Monday, Scottish President Nicola Sturgeon, William and Kate suggested moving to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, even though their office was aware of the Corona virus restrictions for those seeking to cross the border.

Royal officials said the visits were planned in consultation with the Scottish and Welsh governments and that William and Kate had been allowed to cross the border because of their work.

Officials at No. 10 Downing Street initially refused to resolve the matter, saying the tour was “a matter for the palace”. But then on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed the trip when his office announced it was “very valuable.”

“This tour will increase the welcome morale of leading workers who have done so much during epidemics,” the statement said.

Although Wales and Scotland are part of the United Kingdom, they have their own powers and various corona virus controls from the UK. Welsh and Scottish authorities have encouraged people from other parts of the UK to travel to their territories without just cause.

Europe’s worst COVID-19 eruption in Britain has killed at least 61,000 people.

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