Royals jet off – into a storm of protest

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are facing a public backlash for going on a second honeymoon without seven-monthold Prince George.

The couple have flown to an exclusive resort on the Maldives, leaving their baby with Carole and Michael Middleton – plus his own security detail – at their Berkshire mansion. But the decision sparked a storm on social networking sites Mumsnet, Netmums and Twitter.

Critics said they were wrong to leave the young Prince for so long, while others were concerned about the extravagance of their stay only a few weeks after the whole family, including George, went to Mustique.

The couple arrived at Cheval Blanc Randheli on Noonu Atoll, on Thursday for a week-long break. Packages there, including flights, can cost £6,799 a person.

Some people questioned how Prince William, already condemned for boar hunting in Spain last month, was able to take time off from his ten-week agriculture management course at Cambridge University.

One mother, who uses the blog name lou lou the shames, posted on Mumsnet: ‘Seriously? Think this might turn public opinion against them . . . seems its just one long holiday for the D and D of Cambridge.’ Another blogger called crazy spaniel remarked: ‘Well they need a holiday – him to recover from the shooting holiday in Spain a couple of weeks ago, and her to recover from the Mustique holiday last month. I think she may even have put on a posh frock and “worked” for a couple of hours in between. No wonder they’re exhausted.’

Katienan wrote: ‘I like them but am shocked by this, just makes me think they are the same old royals . . . Can’t imagine choosing to be so far from my baby for so long,’ while another contributor said: ‘These two really p*** me off. Life’s one long holiday’. Frogwatcher42 added the ‘arrogant’ couple might ‘finally break the royal family’.

However the couple also had some support. One mother of two said: ‘If the baby is in good hands, why not? He is first [grandson] for doting GPs [grandparents] and probably has a very competent nanny. If I could afford a holiday every few weeks without the baby, I’d take them too.’ Others said ‘each to their own’. Next month the Royal couple embark on a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia – this time accompanied by George.

Kensington Palace have declined to comment on a private holiday.