Royal visit at time of Covid restrictions comes under fire from Welsh health minister

‘I’d rather no one was having unnecessary visits,' says Vaughan Gething

Wales’s health minister has criticised the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s tour of the UK at a time of Covid restrictions, saying he would prefer if “no one was having unnecessary visits”.

Vaughan Gething said that the high-profile national tour by train should not be taken as an excuse by others to say that they are “confused” about coronavirus regulations.

His comments echoed the sentiment of Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who 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.

Downing Street scrambled to the defence of the royals, after a spokesperson initially declined to respond to Mr Gething’s criticism, telling reporters only that their travel plans were “a matter for the Palace”.

In a statement released shortly afterwards, the spokesman described their trip as “a welcome morale boost” for those working on the Covid pandemic response.

“The prime minister 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,” said the spokesperson.

“The tour will be a welcome morale boost to frontline workers who have done so much during the pandemic.”

William and Kate began their visit to Wales on Tuesday at Cardiff Castle, where they met university students and heard about the mental health challenges they faced during the pandemic.

The duke suggested they had yet to decide who to spend the festive period with: “It is so difficult, we are still trying to make plans. It’s difficult to know what to do for the best.”

Asked if it was the right moment for the royals to visit Wales, Mr Gething told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’d rather that no one was having unnecessary visits.

“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.”

When asked if they should still come, Mr Gething said: “I’m not particularly bothered or interested because I don’t think that is going to be an excuse for people to say: ‘I should go and behave in a different way and I should act as if the harm that is being seen in front of us in every part of our healthcare system is not taking place’.”

On Monday Dr Keith Reid, director of public health at Swansea Bay University Health Board, said he feared that only another lockdown in Wales, before the Christmas period, would be enough to save the local system from being overwhelmed if rates continued to rise.

The duke and duchess have been touring the country thanking key and frontline workers and communities for their efforts during the pandemic.

The couple visited Scotland and toured Berwick-upon-Tweed, Batley and Manchester on Monday, meeting 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, including travelling for work or to provide charitable services.

In a briefing on Monday, 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.”

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 royal visit was welcomed by culture secretary Oliver Dowden, who said: “It is wonderful news that their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been able to visit Cardiff today to see the impact that culture has on our communities.

“Throughout the pandemic, organisations across the country have stepped up to support those in need and our choirs, bands, actors, filmmakers, museums – and the technical crews that support them – are no different.”