'Stop the jokes': Camilla slammed for 'self-isolating' coronavirus gag

Just hours after Prince William was slammed for making light of the Coronavirus outbreak during a conversation with a paramedic, his step-mother, Camilla, has now done the exact same thing.

During an official royal visit to the London Transport Museum with her husband, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall was heard saying: “I’m self-isolating” by ITV journalist Chris Ship as she stepped into a one person air raid shelter.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives to board a new electric double decker bus at Clarence House, to the London Transport Museum to take part in celebrations to mark 20 years of Transport for London, on March 04, 2020 in London, England.
Camilla has come under fire for a joke she told at the London Transport Museum. Photo: Getty Images

Camilla’s comments have irked some Twitter users, with many slamming the Duchess for being insensitive while others actually thought it was quite a good joke.

“Advice for the #royalfamily Stop the jokes. Now. People have and will die. And guess what? You don't know if #COVID19 has been left on that silver platter,” one person said.

“Personally, I think it’s utterly outrageous that both The Duke of Cambridge & Duchess of Cornwall have made such banter, laughter & jokes about it! Many people have tragically lost their lives & families have unexpectedly owing to this treacherous virus have lost loved ones,” another person said.

The Duchess of Cornwall and her husband, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by TfL
The Duchess of Cornwall and her husband, the Prince of Wales, rode ride in a new electric double decker bus from their official residence at Clarence House in London to the London Transport Museum. Photo: Getty Images

However, others thought it was great that the Duchess of Cornwall could have a sense of humour.

“This girl as humour. Unlike some of them,” one Twitter user said.

“The absolute definition of British Character,” another said.

Prince William under fire

It comes after the the Duke of Cambridge was caught on camera joking with a paramedic about the virus that has people across the globe terrified, making what some have deemed inappropriate jokes about an illness that has claimed the lives of more than 3000 lives and counting.

Speaking with paramedic Joe Mooney of Ireland’s National Ambulance Service while visiting the Guinness Storehouse, the Duke asked if he had seen any hysteria around the outbreak.

“I bet everyone’s like ‘I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying’, and you’re like ‘No, you’ve just got a cough’,” he said, before asking the paramedic’s opinion around the illness.

“Does it seem quite dramatic about coronavirus at the moment? Is it being a little bit hyped up do you think in the media?”

Taking a jovial tone, the royal pulled a face and joked about criticism around his and Kate’s decision to continue to shake hands with members of the public on their national tour.

Prince William rolls eyes at the Guinness Storeroom while talking to a paramedic
The Duke pulled a face as he joked about the worldwide spread of the disease. Photo: UK Pool

“By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus, sorry,” he laughed with the group.

The jokes come after the Queen was spotted wearing gloves at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday in a bid to minimise risk of infection.

Royal watchers furious at ‘disrespectful’ joke

Prince William talks to an Irish paramedic
Prince William has come under fire for a joke he made about the Coronavirus outbreak. Photo: UK Pool

Online, however, loyal royal watchers are less than impressed with what has been perceived as some as insensitivity to the risks of the virus.

“Zero respect for the peoples who died because of the virus,” one irate fan observed.

“You should all be ashamed,” another wrote.

“They haven't got a clue. That shows they just can't connect people,” another wrote.

At least one loyal fan defended the couple, arguing they were attempting to boost morale and sprinkle some humour on a dire situation.

“Don’t overreact,” one urged. “I think he’s just nervous and a little joke won’t hurt.”

Another made an astute observation that other members of the family would not be let off so lightly.

“Yet if Harry or Meghan has joked like this you would have had a much different narrative to it,” one wrote.

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