The Cambridges are undoubtedly the most talked-about family in the world, and in the aftermath of the Sussex family’s resignation, they are making non-stop headline news.
Their popularity has only surged during the coronavirus outbreak, with Kate and Wills sharing sneak peeks of their royal offices to Instagram, releasing sweet videos of their children and surprising NHS workers, school teachers and young students with video phone calls to boost morale and give thanks.
Last month however, the couple faced backlash as they posted photographs of themselves on a UK tour that some deemed 'unnecessary'.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a royal tour of the UK in December, visiting frontline workers to thank them, something that has proven divisive.
While some were excited by the royal movements, others were concerned that their crossing the borders to Scotland and Wales under coronavirus rules might encourage others to take part in unnecessary travel.
The Welsh Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, made headlines in particular, telling Radio 4: '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.'
A month later, the tour is still making headlines with some accusing the Duke and Duchess of ignoring a rule that only the Queen can break in 'constitutional crisis'.
The rule in question? Breaching direct advice from the Scottish Government, in this case when advised against travelling to Scotland.
Emails have since been leaked between the Scottish Government and the Palace, something Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard reportedly spoke out about, announcing: 'It’s quite clear that the Scottish Government did everything it could to try and dissuade the Palace from making this trip. On the face of it, their decision to ignore this advice and to engage in the public event anyway seems highly irresponsible.'
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon also spoke out about the controversial trip, announcing: 'The Scottish Government were 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.'
A Kensington Palace spokesperson has reportedly responded to the controversy this week, telling BAZAAR.com: 'The same guidance we gave last month still stands. The Duke and Duchess were travelling for work purposes and all rules were fully adhered to. The trip was planned in consultation with the U.K., Scottish and Welsh governments.'
We will continue to update this story.
