William & Kate meet ambulance workers in Edinburgh

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge thanked frontline workers from the Scottish Ambulance Service for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic as they kicked off their country-wide tour.

William and Kate met the ambulance staff in Newbridge, near Edinburgh, during their first engagement after they set off on their 1,250-mile morale-boosting festive trip on the royal train.

It coincided with the announcement that the duke and duchess have become joint patrons of NHS Charities Together.

The 240 NHS charities in the UK provide extra funding and additional services above and beyond what the NHS core-funds, supporting hospitals, community and mental health services, and ambulance services.

Ian Lush, chairman of NHS Charities Together, said: "This is such an honour for our organisation and for all the NHS charities across the UK.

"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.

"We can't wait to start working with the duke and duchess, the potential is so exciting."

The Scottish Ambulance Service received funding from NHS Charities Together, which has been spent on indoor and outdoor wellbeing spaces for staff, as well as wellbeing packs with information booklets and reusable water bottles.

Kensington Palace said William and Kate's visit on Monday had added poignancy as falls on the day the service remembers a colleague lost to Covid-19.

The Scottish Ambulance Service employs more than 5,000 people and provides an emergency ambulance service to a population of more than five million.

Earlier, the royal couple pulled into Edinburgh Waverley station to the sounds of a piper playing Christmas songs including Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

The duke was the first to step out of the Royal Claret-coloured carriages, adjusting his face mask as he did so, followed by Kate.

The duchess, in a Liberty print face covering, was dressed in a smart blue coat and black gloves, while William was wearing a navy coat and a tartan scarf.

They were welcomed to the city on the platform by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Sandra Cumming and chatted briefly, before then thanking the piper and leaving the station to make their way to their first engagement.

The couple travelled overnight after setting off on Sunday evening from London's Euston station on the three-day tour, which will see them thank communities, outstanding individuals and key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

Ahead of departure, they left a personal message of thanks for transport workers on a London Underground service information board.

Kensington Palace shared images of the notice at Euston and of Kate writing the words and William signing it.

Their message read: 'Thank you to all transport workers everywhere for keeping the country moving throughout this difficult year.

'Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

'Catherine. William'

The duke and duchess received a rock and roll send-off on Sunday when Shakin' Stevens serenaded them with his hit Merry Christmas Everyone before they boarded the royal train.

Today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggested the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled to Edinburgh despite their office being made aware of restrictions on cross-border movement.

Ms Sturgeon appeared to give a frosty reception to the royal couple who brought Christmas cheer north of the border as they thanked frontline workers for persevering during the pandemic.

After William and Kate met ambulance staff in Newbridge, near Edinburgh - as part of their first engagement on a 1,250-mile morale-boosting festive trip on the royal train, the pair went on to journey through the Scottish Borders.

Just across the border at Holy Trinity First School in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, the couple arranged for a special treat for pupils - a visit from three reindeer, Chaz, Crackers and her six-month-old calf Echols.

During her daily coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon was asked about claims that the duke and duchess's visit to Edinburgh was in breach of cross-border travel restrictions.

She said: "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.

"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 all of the restrictions in place in Scotland, so that could inform both the decision and the planning of the visit.

"But I think any questions about that should be directed to the royal household."

She was also asked whether the trip would help boost morale, but made no reference to this question in her response.

Under current Scottish regulations, it is illegal to travel between England and Scotland unless you have a reasonable excuse.

There are exceptions, including travel for work or to provide voluntary or charitable services, but only when this cannot be done from home.

Royal sources said the visits were planned in consultation with the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.

They stressed that travelling across the border is permitted for work purposes, and that the duke and duchess went to Scotland to carry out their work thanking frontline workers.