SCOT SOME NERVE
Nicola Sturgeon warned Kate and Wills their Scotland visit may breach Covid law despite her Government helping plan it
NICOLA Sturgeon today said she had warned Kate Middleton and Prince William's Royal train tour could breach coronavirus restrictions - despite her own Government helping to plan the trip, it emerged today.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this morning kicked off their 1,250-mile, three-day nationwide tour to spread festive cheer and thank key workers and communities for their work in the fight against the deadly bug.
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But they found themselves embroiled in a row after travelling up to Edinburgh from London last night to meet Scottish paramedics in their first stop of the morale-boosting whirlwind tour.
Nicola Sturgeon today launched a thinly-veiled attack on the royal couple - saying they had been warned about travelling across the border between Scotland and England for the whistle-stop tour.
And the First Minister took a swipe at Kate and Wills, today telling journalists in her daily briefing: "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."
She added: "The Royal visit is a matter for the Royal household and the arrangements around it, and any questions about those arrangements, should be directed to the Royal household.
"Any more questions on that should be directed to the Royal household."
According to Scotland's coronavirus rules, unless you have a reasonable excuse, you must not travel between Scotland and England. Anyone caught breaking this rule can be slapped with a £60 fine.
It is understood the visit to Scotland was planned between the palace and UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.
And the couple's trip is understood to count as a work trip, which is allowed under Scottish rules.
But one of Nicola Sturgeon’s top pandemic advisers also took a jab at the future king and queen.
American public health expert Professor Devi Sridhar - who is seen as one of the most influential advisers for Ms Sturgeon - posted a link to a story about William and Kate arriving in Edinburgh and said: “Love it here but some things I will never understand about Britain. Aren’t we all in a pandemic & living under travel restrictions?”
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But one Tory MP told the criticism could backfire on Sturgeon, saying: "This man is the future King of Scotland. She has no right to try to stop him.
"It is very unsubtle and I think it will backfire on her because there are a lot of loyalist Scots who would be pretty appalled that she would behave in such a rude manner. She should know better."
The row emerged after the couple launched their festive tour - first welcomed by a piper playing Christmas songs including Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town as they arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station.
Both wearing face masks on their first stop, Kate and William - who have the titles of Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland - met with Scottish Ambulance Service workers.
The couple's visit to the Newbridge centre coincides with the day the service remembered a veteran paramedic who died last month after he re-enlisted in April four years on from his retirement.
Kind-hearted Kate and William - who wore a tartan scarf in a nod to their Scottish hosts - sent a bouquet of flowers to the family of Rod Moore, 63, after he was killed by the bug.
An ambulance service spokesman said: "I know that Rod's family greatly appreciated the flowers sent on behalf of the Royal Family. It was a lovely gesture."
And during their visit today, Wills and Kate also heard from paramedic Alistair Matson, 54, who had to cope with his father falling sick and later dying in hospital during the pandemic.
Mr Matson said: "It was very emotional talking to the Prince about losing my father. He was very anxious to hear how we managed to cope with the mental strains of our job.
"I was helped considerably by the great sense of camaraderie at my work. There was never any rush to come back and they have been like another family to me.
"It was really heartening to see the Royal couple here today acknowledging what we do and their thanks means a lot to us."
And despite the details of their visits being kept on the down low, excited crowds still gathered in an attempt to catch a glimpse of them at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Thanking the helpers
KATE has made a surprise visit to see 84-year-old Len Gardner face to face on the couple's third stop.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Royal Train Tour pulled into Batley, Yorkshire.
Kate and William dropped in to see Len who is recovering at home after an operation for bladder cancer and carer for wife Shirley, 84, who has Alzheimer's.
They have spoken twice on the phone this year after being connected by the Royal Volunteer Service, which The Sun has partnered with this year for our Christmas Together appeal to tackle loneliness.
Kate and Wills also met volunteers from Batley Community Centre who have supported elderly members of their community throughout the Covid-19 by sending cards, having regular phone calls and dropping off shopping, food bags and activity packs.
They were also treated to a performance by members of the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band.
Kate, who was wearing a stunning blue Catherine Walker coat to keep warm on the chilly December day, beamed and waved while Wills smiled beside her.
And for their second stop today, Kate and William headed to Holy Trinity First School at Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, where they thanked teachers for their efforts to support learning during the coronavirus crisis.
As a treat for the children, Kensington Palace arranged for three reindeer - named Chaz, Crackers and a six-month-old calf Echols - to visit.
But it seemed Kate and William were equally as delighted with the festive animals, beaming as they met them.
Rent a Reindeer owner George Richardson, who is based in Cold Hesledon, County Durham, said the booking by the palace had been "top secret".
He said: "We got a phone call out of the blue two weeks ago, they asked us to bring a reindeer for the royal visit and we were happy to oblige."
Kate and William also seemed excited to meet the students, many of who wore antlers or Santa hats.
The royal dad chatted to some of the youngsters, asking them if they had written their lists for Santa yet.
He joked: "Who has the longest list?"
Meanwhile Kate gushed over the chance to meet the young students, telling them: "Thank you for coming to see us."
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The visit coincided with the announcement that William and Kate have become joint patrons of NHS Charities Together.
Ian Lush, chairman of NHS Charities Together, today said it was an honour to have the couple visit and become patrons, adding: "The involvement of their Royal Highnesses will inspire the public to do even more to support the amazing NHS staff and volunteers who have done so much to keep us safe and well this year."
And the busy couple then headed to the Batley Community Centre this afternoon to meet with volunteers who have supported elderly members of their local community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kate had an outfit change, appearing in a dark blue coat.
As they left London last night, they were treated to a performance of Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens - known as the Welsh Elvis.
Kate and Wills, both 38, met transport workers at Euston Station, London, last night who had helped keep the nation's trains running during the pandemic.
Speaking to Alero Abbey, TfL area manager for Green Park and Euston, William said: "It’s moments like this when people really appreciate what you do every day.
"Suddenly we all know what you do and that you do a really good job."
The couple appeared shocked to hear from London Overground driver Glyn Smith, who told them he had managed to avoid hitting a young child on the line in June.
William said: "You saved his life? How fast were you going at the time?"
Mr Smith told them he was driving at around 20mph, adding: “It could have been so much worse.”
ROYAL THANKS
William replied: "Well done. Very impressive."
Shaky, real name Michael Barrett, 72, sent the royals on their way in the Queen's Royal Train for a short tour of England, Scotland and Wales that finishes tomorrow.
He belted out his 1984 Christmas number one hit from the station floor as Kate and Wills clapped along from the first-floor concourse.
The 72-year-old performer said: "I'm loving it, it was lovely to be invited."
He added that the couple were "certainly fans" of his festive hit, saying: "They picked it!"
The performer also praised the couple's big train trip, saying: "It's nice to give back and they are leading the way.
"It needs something to cheer us up doesn't it? Because what we've got, we don't know how long it's going to go on for, so you have got to keep your pecker up."
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Last night, the couple wrote a message to commuters at Euston Station, with Kate writing on a service board: "Thank you to all transport workers everywhere for keeping the country moving throughout this difficult year.
"Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!"
Network Rail staff at Euston Station altered the departure boards for the occasion, changing Wolverhampton to Warmerhampton, Coventry to Coventry Carol and Northampton to Northpolehampton.
The final stop tomorrow will be to see the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla - the first time the five senior Royals will have gathered for a photograph this year.
The Royal Train, decorated in royal claret livery, is powered by eco-friendly bio-fuel made from waste cooking oil.
It is believed the trip is Kate's first official journey by royal train, despite having been a member of the monarchy for almost a decade, while the duke has used it a number of times.
William travelled on the train on the day of the funeral of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, when he joined his father, brother and the Spencer family on the journey to the princess's ancestral home Althorp for her burial.
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Rock star Shakin' Stevens is famous for a string of 1980s hits including Merry Christmas Everyone which hit number one in 1984.
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A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “They are really excited about the trip and getting to communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
“The only thing that’s missing is a stop in Northern Ireland which is currently in a full lockdown - so they’ll make it a priority to get there in the new year.”
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William and Kate on royal train tour around the country to thank key workers
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