WILLIAM and Kate have been accused of using a food bank trip as a royal "publicity stunt".
The Prince and Princess of Wales made a "surprise visit" to Dedworth Green Baptist Church in Windsor on Thursday.
The royals were pictured talking to staff and packing food supplies into bags.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have shocked volunteers by making a surprise visit to a food bank in Windsor. Read the full story: https://t.co/3MCaX9kph5 pic.twitter.com/ZQFSv9W0vT
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 26, 2023
During a 10-minute meeting with Windsor Foodshare workers Kate asked whether there are many food banks in the area, whether the produce is fresh, whether some people struggle with the stigma sometimes associated with food banks and whether young people are getting involved in volunteering.
William asked: “What is the hardest thing? How do you start setting up a food bank?”
They were then taken to the church where they helped a team preparing 98 food vouchers which can feed just under 200 people.
William packed food deliveries which feed a family of four while Kate checked food labels were in date.
At one stage when she was chatting to a group of four volunteers, William joked that they should pick up the pace and stop chatting.
He also joked with one volunteer that Kate usually does the shopping and laughed with another about knobbly vegetables.
A video of the visit prompted anger on social media from some, with the couple accused of being part of a "publicity stunt".
Graham Smith, the CEO of anti-monarchy group Republic, told The National: "These visits are little more than PR for the royals.
"They’re aware how bad their extravagant tax-funded lifestyles look during a cost-of-living crisis.
"Now they want us to believe they’re rolling up their sleeves for foodbank charities.
"A brief trip round the corner from one of their palatial homes smacks of cynicism, not genuine concern.
"If they were concerned they wouldn’t be accepting the £22 million a year income from the Duchy of Cornwall or the state-funded homes.”
Scottish writer Billy Kay tweeted: “Wad this no gie ye the dry boak!”.
Another Twitter user said: “How do they not realise how offensive and insensitive this is? Multi-millionaires funded by the public visiting a foodbank. It's obscene.”
One person added: “Such a shock and surprise a fucking camera crew were there. This country is so broken The future King exploiting the poverty of peasants for a photo op.”
Staff were reportedly told the royals were coming just an hour before.
Windsor Foodshare chief executive Sarah Kember Kember said: “I had to tell them (the volunteers) a few porkies such as that we had a corporate visit or a school visit.
“They were such a lovely couple. They were down to earth and friendly, and really put us at ease.
“William was very neat at packing. They were interested in what happens in our local area and interested in how the food bank started and how we get donations.
“They are welcome back any time, we are always grateful for a pair of hands.”
Volunteer Linda added that royals were "very human" and that they "wanted to be here".
Windsor Foodshare was set up in 2013 and gives out food vouchers at the church between 1pm and 3pm every Thursday, and between 6pm and 7pm the same day at Kerith Community Church.
