Prince Philip: Council under fire for tweeting link to Royal ‘donations’ page

A Welsh council has come under fire for tweeting a link to a page on the Royal website which encourages people to make donations.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council shared a link to the ‘donations’ page of the official Royal Family website, alongside a picture of a beaming Prince Philip.

The tweet drew ire as commentators pointed out there were enough local causes that needed the public’s support.

However, the website itself called on people to make donations to causes supported by Prince Philip as a “tribute” after he passed away, rather than donating to the Royal Family directly.

Scott Davies said: “Any links for us to be able to donate to local food banks please? Thanks in advance.”

Ryan Barrett said: “Council of one of the most impoverished areas in the UK begging for donations to a millionaire family. How many families are reliant on foodbanks/living in poverty within the borough? In the bin with you, idiots!”

However, Jaques Schiddt pointed out: “In fairness the page this links to says ‘members of the public who wish to make a donation as a tribute to His Royal Highness are encouraged to give to a charity of their choosing or one of the charities or organisations which The Duke of Edinburgh supported in his public duties’.”

George Baldwin said: “The best thing about this tweet doing the rounds is that if you follow the link, the website tells you can’t donate. Therefore, making this whole exercise completely pointless.”

https://t.co/ywJNaVkpw6 pic.twitter.com/DGE2rosSpU

— Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (@MerthyrCBC) April 12, 2021

On the website itself, it says: “There is no official arrangement for giving donations in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh.

“However members of the public who wish to make a donation as a tribute to His Royal Highness are encouraged to give to a charity of their choosing or one of the charities or organisations which The Duke of Edinburgh supported in his public duties.

“Over the course of his life, The Duke of Edinburgh was patron or president of some 992 organisations, with special interests in scientific and technological research and development, industry, the welfare of young people, conservation and the environment and the encouragement of sport.”