PRINCE William ditched the royal rulebook to hug a tearful OAP during a visit to Scotland yesterday.
The Duke of Cambridge embraced pensioner William Burns, 66, who was overcome with emotion at meeting the future king on his two-day tour of the country.
Such interactions with the public usually involve a bow, curtsey or polite handshake, as has been royal tradition for centuries.
But Wills ripped up the rulebook to greet his namesake in Glasgow.
The Duke was joined by wife Kate for the Scottish visit – their first walkabout since rumours of a “royal revolution” at the weekend.
The couple allegedly want to scrap their titles and use their first names in a bid to keep the monarchy modern.
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They received a warm welcome by the Wheatley Group – a community hub which transforms the lives of disadvantaged young people and families.
But elsewhere on their visit, the Duchess of Cambridge called for schools to teach empathy to young children to help their “emotional vocabulary” as adults.
Kate, 40, cooed over 10-month-old ‘tiny teacher’ Saul Molloy during a fun lesson with children as part of a baby parent programme.
The aim of the project is to teach children empathy and Kate yesterday called for it to be spread to more schools across the country.
Wills and Kate joined 35 seven-year-old children for the Roots of Empathy class at St John’s Primary School in Port Glasgow.
The scheme by Action For Children, for which Kate is patron, has been running in Scotland for 12 years.
Results are said to show a reduction in violence in adults who have been to classes with babies and greater signs of empathy and emotional intelligence.
Kate removed her navy blue jacket, and sat cross-legged in blue trousers, blouse and heels for the class yesterday.
Saul has been a so-called ‘tiny teacher’ since he was four months old spending one lesson every week with the children.
The youngsters quizzed Saul’s mum Laura Molloy, 34, on updates such as whether he was walking and his height, before playing with toys with Saul on a green mat.
Wills and Kate joined in nursery rhymes singing and making the required actions Wheels on the Bus and Incy Wincy Spider.
Jokey William squeaked the sole of his shoe on the floor to get Saul’s attention.
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At the end of the session, Kate asked: “Do you think lots of schools should have a programme like this?”
After the 35 kids all sang out “yes”, Kate glanced at William and responded saying: “We do too.”
