No food at the inn for prince

Prince William visited the bar with friends

Prince William was given a less than royal welcome on a private visit in a Scottish hotel bar when he was too late for food.

The 19-year-old prince tried to get a cheese toastie but was told that staff had stopped serving food an hour ago.

The prince was in the Perthshire tourist town of Callander with friends ahead of his arrival in St Andrews to begin a four-year history of art course on Monday.

However, bar staff at the town's Waverley Hotel did not recognise the prince and told him there was no food available until the kitchen opened again at 1800 BST.

He and a couple of pals enquired about something to eat at about 4pm or 4.30pm. Food stopped at 3 o'clock and started again at six.

Bar manager Grant Scott

Bar manager Grant Scott said: "He came in and he wasn't recognised.

"He and a couple of pals enquired about something to eat at about 4pm or 4.30pm. Food stopped at 3 o'clock and started again at six.

"They asked if we were doing food and we said 'not until six'.

It was not until one eagle-eyed local noticed the prince that the bar staff were alerted to their royal customer.

Mr Scott said: "One person in the bar recognised him and said 'Hello William' as he left, and he said 'hello' back."

Fish and chips

After leaving the hotel bar, in which he drank half a pint of cider, the hungry prince crossed the town's main street for a meal of fish and chips at a local cafe.

The prince starts a History of Art course at St Andrews University in Fife on Monday.

Before that he has been carrying out a series of engagements on Friday with his father Prince Charles.

Prince William has accompanied his father on visits to a mill restoration project in Paisley and a community centre in Glasgow's troubled Sighthill area.

The prince was in Callander with a number of young friends in effort to become accustomed to his new life away from boarding school and the restrictions of court duty.