Princes William and Harry made an unexpected visit to a beach in Par over the weekend, as the second-in-line to the throne celebrated his 27th birthday.

After fun on the beach the Royals and their friends went to Fowey Royal british Legion club to join locals watching the British Lions rugby match on tv.

Beach-goers at Par Sands were shocked when the two young royals joined them to enjoy the sun.

Keith Meadows works as a car park attendant at the beach for Cornwall Council and didn't even realise at first that he was serving Prince William.

He said: 'They came at about 11.15am.

'The second vehicle pulled up and I said that the person in front had paid for him, so he said he would pay for the next one. He asked me how I was and then I realised it was Prince William. Until he asked me how I was I didn't realise it was him.

'I just didn't expect to see them there.'

Keith saw Prince Harry in the car behind his brother but said he didn't see Kate Middleton, the girlfriend of Prince William, who was rumoured to be with them in the area over the weekend.

'I let them pay the fee as I didn't want to patronise them by letting them in free and they were more than happy to pay,' he said.

'The princes, who had security guards with them, spent more than two hours having a picnic on the beach and playing games. It was lovely to see them.'

Following their lunch at the beach the young princes went to watch the rugby in Fowey.

'They were having a good time,' said club steward Pat Barron. 'Their friends were buying the drinks and the princes had a couple of lagers each.'