A newly married couple were given an unexpected surprise at their big day this morning, after the Prince of Wales met with them to give his personal royal approval and offer congratulations.

The Prince of Wales was in Ayr for a parade by the Queen's Own Yeomanry, of which he is the Royal Honorary Colonel.

As he left Ayr Town Hall, he met Private Barry Rooney and his new wife Kirstie as they left their wedding ceremony at the Registrars Office.

The Prince offered his congratulations to the couple and posed for some special photographs for their wedding album.

Private Rooney, 28, and his 22-year-old wife, from Patna in East Ayrshire, said:

That was absolutely amazing, we were really shocked. Who can say they had their wedding photograph taken with the Prince of Wales? It's a day we'll remember forever.

Private Barry Roonie and his new wife Kirstie with the Prince of Wales. Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Earlier in the day, Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, took a royal salute from the Queen's Own Yeomanry as they marched through Ayr town centre.

Dressed in multi-terrain Army uniform, the Prince then attended an honorary freedom ceremony for the regiment at the Auld Kirk in the town before the civic reception with soldier and their families.