FURY erupted yesterday after the Earl and Countess of Strathearn defied the Scottish Government yesterday by ignoring strict coronavirus rules on crossing the Border.

William and Kate were in Edinburgh on the first stop of a 1250-mile, three-day journey around the UK to “thank communities, outstanding individuals and key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.”

However, it is now an offence to travel to Scotland from England for non-essential purposes.

People who violate the ban can be fined £60, unless they have a “reasonable excuse” such as caring responsibilities, or hospital appointments.

Nicola Sturgeon revealed yesterday that the royal household had been warned in advance of the restrictions in place.

Despite that, the future king and queen, persisted with their journey.

Devi Sridhar, the US-born professor and chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, and a senior adviser to the First Minister tweeted: “Love it here but some things I will never understand

about Britain. Aren’t we all in a pandemic and living under travel restrictions?”

Haematologist Dr Katrina Farrell tweeted: “I absolutely do not understand why the #RoyalTrainTour is being allowed in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is in tier 3. No non-essential travel into or out of region.”

Asked about the visit at the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing, Sturgeon refused to condemn the couple, but said the government had made clear to the palace that there was currently a travel ban.

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

“Any more questions on that should be directed to the royal household.”

A royal source defended the trip, telling The Herald: “Travelling across the Border is permitted for work purposes.

“The Duke and Duchess [of Cambridge] travelled to Scotland to carry out their work, thanking frontline workers who have done so much for the country throughout the pandemic.

“The visits were planned in consultation with the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.”

There is an exemption in the rules that allows people to “travel for work, or provide voluntary or charitable services”, however, this should only be “where that cannot be done from your home”.

Earlier this year, there was a row when Prince Charles managed to get a test for coronavirus within hours of showing “relatively mild symptoms” despite strict NHS guidelines at the time saying they should only be given to patients admitted to hospital.

The future king arrived in his Birkhall home in Scotland on Sunday, March 22.

He and Camilla were two of just 19 tests carried out by NHS Grampian on the Monday. He received the positive result on Tuesday. Camilla’s test came back negative.

A spokesman for Clarence House made clear to The National that the prince did not display coronavirus symptoms until he was in Scotland.

The criteria used by NHS Grampian at the time was in line with the Health Protection Scotland guidance, which stated that the only patients who should be tested were those requiring hospital admission.

At the time Charles was tested, the then-chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood, said she had established from talking to NHS Grampian that “he was tested for clinical reasons”.

Clarence House repeatedly said the prince’s symptoms were only mild.