Prince of Wales kissed by Gazza in chance meeting at Bournemouth Pret-a-Manger

The Prince of Wales met Paul Gascoigne during a visit to a Pret A Manger store in Bournemouth (PA) (PA Wire)

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne gave the Prince of Wales a kiss on the cheek after the pair met in a Pret A Manger in Bournemouth.

William visited the branch in Bournemouth town centre on Thursday to discuss its plans to expand The Pret Foundation’s programme to help 500 people experiencing homelessness get jobs at Pret shops around the country.

The chain made the commitment as part of its work with William’s Homewards initiative – the prince’s ambitious five-year project to end homelessness in six locations.

While in the shop, William was joined by Gascoigne, better known as Gazza.

The pair spoke for a couple of minutes as a crowd gathered around them.

The former England international then shook William’s hand before kissing him on the cheek.

It’s been a very interesting morning

Prince of Wales

After meeting the footballer, William said it had been a “very interesting morning”.

“We even bumped into Gazza, he popped into (Pret),” he said.

“It’s been a very interesting morning.”

Bournemouth is one of Homewards’ six flagship locations, which also include Christchurch and Poole.

Members of the Pret Foundation were among several national and local business representatives who joined William for a roundtable meeting about how companies can help tackle homelessness.

Business bosses from Lush, Sunseekers, Dorset Chamber of Commerce, AFC Bournemouth and Bournemouth and Poole College pledged to expand a variety of initiatives including community outreach, education and employment opportunities.