Crying OAP hugging Prince William during Glasgow visit

William Burns, 66, moved millions of Britons on Wednesday, after being pictured sharing a tearful embrace with the Duke of Cambridge during his visit to Kennishead.

The OAP told the Daily Mail he was moved because he was once estranged from his own child and their hug felt like "a son hugging a father".

The emotional moment took place as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Wheatley Group to meet with members of the public and discuss the issue of homelessness.

Prince William breached royal protocol by sharing the embrace with an emotional Mr Burns. 

But during the visit, Prince William breached royal protocol by sharing the embrace with an emotional Mr Burns. 

The Kennishead resident said the moment had a particular significance for him, since he fell out with one of his sons during an incident which led to him being evicted. 

READ MORE: Kate Middleton and Prince William pictured in Glasgow on two-day visit

The eviction led to the father-of-six briefly being made homeless.

He said: "I am a grandfather. It felt like a son hugging a father. 

"It was the way he hugged me. I didn't expect that really to be honest. It was a boost.

"I've never felt anything like it in my entire life before and my existence as a human being."

A retired chef, Mr Burns first moved to the area when he was nine from the island of Tiree in the Hebrides, in 1969-1970.

He married his first wife jane at the age of 17 and the couple were married for three decades until her death.

Mr Burns was later evicted after one of his sons received four anti-social behaviour orders.

The Royal couple shared selfies with residents during a visit to Kennishead, Glasgow.

Luckily, shortly after he met his now wife, Ellen, who took him in when he was at his lowest. T

He added: "I met Ellen and after the eviction I asked Ellen if I could move in with her and then we got married," he said.

"She's a lovely lady. We have been married four years in September. We've never been on a honeymoon. We've never been anywhere."

The pensioner now suffers from the chronic lung condition emphysema, which causes shortness of breath and can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

READ MORE: 'Kind-hearted' man suddenly dies leaving devastated family 'heartbroken'

Mr Burns described meeting Prince William as a '"boost", saying he initially went out to see the Prince after seeing "all the commotion and excitement" at his arrival.

He said: "I thought I would go down for a peek-about. My wife was down there and I was standing talking to people who know me well because I am one of the longest people living here.

"I saw Kate and thought, that lady is wonderful. She is beautiful and clearly a beautiful person.

"I was standing with my wife when William came over to the crowd.

"I decided to meet the chap and I went to shake the man's hand when he asked my name.

"When I told him my name was William, he said, 'My name is William too.' I said, 'I know that' and he laughed. He had his hand on my shoulder.

"He had his hand on my shoulder and then hugged me. I was quite emotional. I was overjoyed.

The Royal couple during the visit to Kennishead, Glasgow.

He added: "I am a grandfather. It felt like a son hugging a father. It was the way he hugged me. I didn't expect that really to be honest. It was a boost. I've never felt anything like it in my entire life before and my existence as a human being.

"I told him about the housing association providing safe homes for the people and he said that was fantastic. He's not King yet but he will be a good King for Scotland as well as the whole of the UK.

"He'll do well for Britain. He will be a fantastic King and he will keep Scotland and Britain together."

READ MORE: Family pay tribute to huge Celtic fan after tragic sudden death

In Kennishead, William and Kate spoke with those whose lives have been helped by gaining access to employment support and will also hear about the importance of good quality housing. 

The Duke and Duchess spoke with Wheatley Housing Association's Graham Isdale to talk about the challenges of homelessness.

At one point, the Duke was seen making a speech while excited on-lookers captured the couple on their phones and tablets from inside their homes. 

Afterwards, the royal couple visited Glasgow University, where they spoke with staff and students about mental health. 

The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the University of Glasgow in Glasgow, to talk with students about mental health and wellbeing during exam period.