Prince William has made an off-colour joke about him and Kate 'spreading' coronavirus on their tour of Ireland this week - and suggested that some people are panicking about 'dying' but have 'just got a cough'.

The Duke of Cambridge made the comments to Irish emergency workers over a pint in Dublin last night during a reception laid on by Britain's ambassador to the country at the city's world famous Guinness factory.

William had asked Joe Mooney, an advance paramedic with the National Ambulance Service, who he was coping with the crisis and asked: 'I bet everyone's like "I've got coronavirus, I'm dying", and you're like "no, you've just got a cough".

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

Later he grimaced with mock horror as the royal joked: 'By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus, Sorry. We're keeping an eye on that, so do tell us if we need to stop.'

Prince William joked with paramedic Joe Mooney that he and Kate might be spreading coronavirus

The Duke asked Joe (wearing a white shirt with his back to camera): 'I bet everyone's like "I've got coronavirus, I'm dying", and you're like "no, you've just got a cough".'

William and Kate both enjoyed a pint of the 'Black Stuff' with Ireland's politicians, emergency workers and some of its stars and the Duke made the coronavirus comments to paramedic Joe Mooney (right last night)

The Queen, who has carried out investitures since 1952, has worn gloves for the first time as she handed an MBE to D-Day veteran Harry Billinge yesterday

The duke's comments came as it emerged the royal and his wife, who are on a three-day visit to Ireland, are taking advice on the coronavirus threat, but will continue meeting people as usual.

Earlier yesterday, the Queen wore gloves to present honours during an investiture ceremony - the first time since she started doing them in

William talked about the infection as he chatted to emergency workers at a reception hosted by Britain's Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett in the Gravity Bar at Dublin's Guinness Storehouse.

William and Kate couple shook hands with dozens of people on the first day of their tour and are expected to continue to do so, based on advice they are being given.

A royal source said last night the couple were following guidance from Public Health England and the Department of Health and that meant 'business as usual' for now.

'This is a discussion we have been having and everything we are doing should continue as usual,' said the source.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived at the Guinness Storehouse for an evening reception. It is the royal couple's final engagement on their first day visiting Ireland

William and Kate were in the world famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin when they were handed a pint each. William appeared to sip his a little more enthusiastically than his wife, but Kate was still game enough to have a taste

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a reception at the Guinness Storehouse's Gravity Bar, hosted by the British Ambassador to Ireland

William and Kate enjoyed a pint of Guinness at the historic Dublin brewery of the Irish Stout, with the Duke toasting his hosts in Gaelic, raising his pint and saying 'Slainte'

William and Kate enjoyed a pint of Guinness at the Storehouse – a major visitor attraction which tells the story of the famous drink – with the duke toasting his hosts in Gaelic, raising his pint and saying 'Slainte'.

He also addressed the guests from the worlds of sport, film, television and the armed forces in Irish, calling them 'dhaoine uaisle' – 'Ladies and Gentlemen'.

'Catherine and I are delighted to be here tonight and are both very grateful to Robin for his generous words,' said the duke.

'Ireland is a country that we have both heard so much about, so we are really excited to be here with you to see it first-hand for ourselves.

'In coming to the Guinness Storehouse, we are retracing the footsteps of my grandmother, who was shown how to pour the perfect pint here in 2011.

'Ladies and Gentlemen let me tell you it is not often that I find myself following the Queen to a pub. But I am looking forward to testing for myself the theory that Guinness tastes even better in Ireland than overseas.'

During the reception William and Kate, in a dazzling emerald green dress by The Vampire's Wife, were introduced to groups of guests, from film and TV, sports, sustainability and environment, creative and cultural Ireland, education and research, the charity sector and uniformed services.

They included Game Of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, who played Davos Seaworth in the HBO series and Misfits actor Robert Sheehan, comedian Deirdre O'Kane and actors Sarah Bolger and Orla Brady.

Speaking afterwards, Cunningham said he had met the duke before at an after-party for the Warhorse premiere at Buckingham Palace.

'They are total sweethearts,' he said of the couple.

'They are gorgeous, they are beautiful people. They are incredibly charming.

'They are much too classy to say whether they watched Game of Thrones, but he came over and said, 'Liam, you need no introduction'. They are fantastic ambassadors for the UK.'

Kate joined arms with Sabina Higgins during the walk around the grounds, showing the warmth between the respective couples

Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina accompanied Kate and Will to the Peace Bell. The president explained to the couple that the bell was unveiled in 2008 by then president Mary McAleese to mark the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend a commemorative wreath laying ceremony in the Garden of Remembrance at Aras an Uachtarain on day one of their visit to Ireland

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet with Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland, and his partner Matt Barrett at the Government Buildings, Dublin, during their three day visit to the Republic of Ireland

In brilliant winter sunshine they walked down the aircraft's steps and were greeted by a small group of dignitaries led by Britain's Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett

They royal couple also met inclusivity campaigner Sinead Burke, who was one of the Forces for Change chosen to appear on the cover of the September issue of Vogue by their sister-in-law the Duchess of Sussex.

The duke and duchess's outing came after a day of formal engagements to launch their first official visit to Ireland, nine years after the Queen became the first British monarch to visit the country since its independence.

After arriving at Dublin airport, they met Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina – plus their dog Brod at the statesman's official residence Aras an Uachtarain.

The Cambridges discussed the implications of Brexit with Ireland's president and about building on the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement which ushered in peace in Northern Ireland.

In Dublin's Garden of Remembrance, the royals also honoured the memory of those who gave their lives for Irish Independence from Britain, echoing the Queen's symbolic visit there in 2011 when she bowed her head in tribute to the fallen.

The couple then met the outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Ireland's Government Buildings.

Their three-day tour will focus on the themes of reconciliation, youth, culture, sustainability and the environment, and will see the couple visit the counties of Meath, Kildare and Galway.