Wills and Kate arrive in Scotland (to a chilly reception from Nicola)
As Wills and Kate begin tour to cheer up Covid Britain, First Minister’s goodwill goes missing
THEIR whistlestop train journey across Britain is dedicated to bringing Christmas cheer to those battling the coronavirus.
But as they arrived in Edinburgh yesterday on the first leg of their tour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were met with a frosty response from Nicola Sturgeon.
The First Minister failed to respond when asked if she thought the couple’s visit to thank the city’s ambulance crews ‘could help boost morale’.
And she declined to dismiss unfounded doubts over whether the trip was allowed. Royal sources stressed going across the Border is permitted for work purposes.
But when asked if she believed the trip by the royal train from London had broken restrictions, Miss Sturgeon said pointedly: ‘The royal visit is a matter for the royal household and any questions about those arrangements should be directed to the Royal Household.
‘The Scottish Government was advised about the intention to visit and we made sure the Royal Household were aware of the restrictions in place in Scotland.’
Edinburgh University professor Devi Sridhar, who advises the Scottish Government on Covid, tweeted: ‘Some things I will never understand about Britain. Aren’t we all in a pandemic & living under travel restrictions?’ Dr Katrina Farrell, a haematologist at NHS Forth Valley, said on social media: ‘I do not understand why the #RoyalTrainTour is being allowed in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is in tier 3. No non-essential travel.’
A royal source said the duke and duchess had travelled to Scotland for their work, thanking frontline workers who have done so much in the pandemic.
The source emphasised the visits were fully planned in consultation with the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘Given that the First Minister had earlier visited NHS staff, it seems a bit odd that she didn’t back this trip.’
Last night a Scottish Government spokesman said briefly: ‘ The First
Minister welcomes the support shown by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for Scotland’s NHS.’
The couple are on a whirlwind tour of England, Scotland and Wales to thank individuals and organisations who have supported communities in the pandemic.
William, in a dark blue coat and tartan scarf, and Kate, in a blue Catherine Walker coat with a bag by Edinburgh designer Strathberry, thanked staff at the Scottish Ambulance Service in the city who have made incredible efforts to cope with their demanding jobs while many were affected by personal Covid tragedies.
The royals heard from paramedic Alistair Matson, 54, whose father fell sick and later died in hospital. Mr Matson said: ‘It was very emotional talking to the prince about my father. It was really heartening to see the royal couple and their thanks mean a lot to us.’
It also emerged the couple sent a special bouquet to the family of veteran paramedic Rod Moore, 63, from Falkirk, who died last month. He re-enlisted in April four years into retirement and his funeral was due to take place yesterday. An ambulance spokesman said: ‘Rod’s family greatly appreciated the flowers. It was a lovely gesture.’
During t heir vi s i t , i t was announced that the royal couple would become joint patrons of NHS Charities Together.
Later the Cambridges had a treat for Holy Trinity First School in
‘This day will live with me for ever’
Berwick-upon-Tweed with the visit of reindeers Chaz, Crackers and her calf Echols. Kensington Palace had arranged for Rent A Reindeer to bring in the animals.
Headmaster Nicholas Shaw said: ‘The children loved it. We feel honoured to have been chosen.’
The couple then travelled to Batley, West Yorkshire, where Kate met Len Gardner, a pensioner she has been chatting to by phone for the Royal Voluntary Service.
Mr Gardner, 85, the full-time carer of his wife Shirley, 84, who has Alzheimer’s, disclosed that when he told Kate she liked pasta, the duchess sent him a machine to make fresh pasta. ‘ This day will live with me for ever,’ he said.
The couple’s last stop of their busy day was to food bank FareShare in Manchester.
that existing EU standards on things such as state aid subsidies, workers’ rights and the environment will not be cut after Brexit.
But Mr Barnier last week upped the EU’s demands to require the UK to also stay in line with regulations that Brussels passes in the future – a request branded ‘completely unacceptable’ by No 10.
Brussels is also insisting on the right to levy ‘lightning tariffs’ on the UK if it is judged to have diverged too far from EU regulations. Mr
Macron has warned he is ready to veto any deal he deems unacceptable. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made it clear that she wants agreement.
Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt yesterday told MPs talks were at a ‘critical moment’, with the level playing field being the ‘most difficult’ issue.
Mr Barnier told MEPs the two sides were facing ‘huge problems’, adding: ‘When it comes to timing, we are in the end game. In any event there will be a decision by Thursday. So let’s say on Wednesday, we cannot go beyond that. Be it negative or positive.’
Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said: ‘Having heard from Michel Barnier this morning, really the news is very downbeat. I would say he is very gloomy.’
No Deal would mean tariffs on goods traded between the UK and EU. Ministers are also worried about the prospect of severe disruption to Channel crossings. One
Cabinet source said: ‘The possibility of chaos on the Channel crossing has been underpriced.’
The pound fell sharply on the gloomy signals emerging from both camps before recovering most of its value in the wake of the announcement of the meeting between Mr Johnson and Miss von der Leyen.
In the Commons, former Cabinet minister Liam Fox said: ‘We all want to see a deal but the difficulties are not really about trade...