Prince William and Kate Middleton were told about cross-border Scotland travel restriction, Sturgeon suggests

Royal couple are currently on whistle-stop tour of UK to thank key workers for their efforts during pandemic

Nicola Sturgeon has suggested that Prince William and Kate Middleton were made aware of restrictions for people crossing the border from England into Scotland before their current trip.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently on a tour of the UK to thank key workers and communities for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The couple visited Scotland and toured Berwick-upon-Tweed, Batley and Manchester on Monday as they met schoolchildren, ambulance workers, volunteers and charity workers.

Under current Scottish lockdown restrictions it is illegal to travel between England and Scotland without a valid reason. The exceptions to the rule include travelling for work or to provide charitable services.

In a briefing on Monday, first minister Ms Sturgeon said: "The Scottish government was advised about the intention to visit, and we made sure that the Royal Household were aware, as you would expect, of the restrictions in place in Scotland so that could inform both the decision and the planning of the visit."

However, Royal sources said the visits were planned in consultation with the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments and stressed they were working, which permits travel across the border.

The Duke of Cambridge gave a speech at FareShare, a national charity feeding almost one million people per week across the UK and up to 60,000 in Greater Manchester, to thank staff and volunteers for helping the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking inside a Manchester warehouse named after the mother of England and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who works closely with FareShare, he said: "Catherine and I felt that it was extremely important to visit just some of the heroes that have emerged this year to thank you for all that you have done.

"Whether that's transport workers, paramedics, school teachers or indeed staff and volunteers like those of you online across the FareShare network or here in Manchester tonight."