Kate sparks ‘concern’ as Duchess appears to flout key rule in engagement – ‘I’m surprised’

With the UK’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions easing, the Royal Family has started to step outside and travel for engagements. At a recent appearance, the Duchess of Cambridge “surprised” Royally Obsessed podcast hosts Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie by seemingly not adhering to social distancing rules. Kate joined families from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) to help plant a garden at The Nook, one of the charity’s purpose-build hospices.

Looking at the photos, Ms Bowie demanded: “Where was the mask? The reason I bring it up for this event is because in some of the pictures, even though she’s outside, she’s not six feet from other people.”

She told listeners that the lack of a mask was “concerning” her.

Ms Fiorito agreed: “Especially around children and in a children’s hospice, that might be something where they would definitely advise you to wear a mask.

“I’m surprised they didn’t. I have to say, it’s all about the pictures.”

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She continued: “It’s interesting because we saw William do it once.

“He wore a mask for the first time in public because he was at an Oxford vaccine group to learn about the progress being made.

“But we’ve seen the King and Queen of Spain wear masks in public, we’ve seen Harry and Meghan wear masks in public.

“We’ve even seen Sophie too so I’m so surprised she hasn’t.”

The royal commentators noted that the Duchess’ first inside engagement would be the “true telltale sign” of where the line was.

It was unclear exactly how distanced the Duchess was from others in the photograph.

Currently, it is only mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport in England.

Those living in England are also allowed to meet up to six people in a group outside, permitting that those in different households remain socially distanced.

The two-metre rule is also set to be ditched in favour of “1 metre-plus”.

The Prime Minister announced that parts of the hospitality sector will be allowed to reopen from July 4.