The Duke of Cambridge has delighted a Scottish pensioner as he threw protocol to the wind to give him a hug.

       The Duke, who along with the Duchess greeted crowds outside a homelessness project in Glasgow, embraced the emotional well-wisher, who gripped him tightly and appeared to cry.

       Named as William Burns, the man was among crowds who had turned out to see the Cambridges during their one-day visit to Glasgow.

       Prince William has been photographed hugging members of the public on numerous occasions, during walkabouts or particularly emotional moments in engagements.

       The sight of a member of the Royal family hugging a member of the public has historically been rare, but became a regular occurance in the public work of the Prince's mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

       On Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Wheatley Group site in Kennishead to "see first-hand how they are transforming the lives of disadvantaged or vulnerable people, including those at risk of homelessness", Kensington Palace said.

       As well as offering handshakes and hugs, the couple also happily posed for selfies with well-wishers - another sign of the changing times.

       Inside, they met families who have benefited from support packages from the group, described as Scotland's leading housing, care and property-management group. It aims to tackle homelessness and support vulnerable tenants during the cost of living crisis.

       The Cambridges joined mother-of-four Joanne Wales, 31, on the sofa in her living room to ask about her experiences as a tenant.

       Her four-year-old son Jason showed the royal couple his Spider-Man and Hulk toys, and Kate told him: “Louis, our little boy, loves Spider-Man too.”

       Ms Wales, who has been a single parent since her partner died nearly two years ago, said: “They were absolutely lovely and straight away they were talking to Jason about superheroes.”