Gretna Green has seen its fair share of unique weddings since the mid-1700s, but history has been made as the world-famous wedding venue hosted a Royal marriage.

This couple, though, aren't related to Queen Elizabeth II: they have their own Royal lineage and are known officially as the Pearly King and Queen of Harrow.

David and Paula Hemsley got married yesterday (WED) over the anvil, dressed in their traditional Pearly attire - but had to obtain special permission to marry outside of London.

After reciting their vows the couple exchanged pearly buttons instead of rings, in-keeping with their culture.

Although the "Pearlies" are familiar faces in London, many people in other parts of the country have never heard of them.

The title is inherited and each borough of London originally had one Pearly king and queen, although not all now do.

The concept was founded in the 1880s by a road sweeper and rat catcher named Henry Croft, and follows on from the 18th century "Coster Kings and Queens" who were street traders who helped others less fortunate. Queen Victoria then gave official titles.

Being a Pearly king and queen is about giving and the current crop of Pearly royalty attend various charity events, raise funds for numerous causes and assist London mayors with engagements.

David, 53, who adopted the title when his mother Margaret died, told the News & Star : "I'm a blacksmith by trade, that's why we decided to get married here."

He continued: "We met about 30 years ago when Paula was working in a stable in Sussex, where I grew up. We grew apart then met up again about four years ago."

Michelle Hall, sales manager for Gretna Green Ltd, said: "Although Gretna Green has seen its fair share of familiar faces, never have a Pearly King and Queen married in the famous wedding village.

"As of yesterday, Gretna Green added the Pearly King and Queen of Harrow to its vast ever growing marriage records and they were the first ever Pearly King and Queen to marry in Scotland."

David and Paula weren't jetting off on a honeymoon anytime soon either.

Sticking to their charitable ideology, the couple decided to collect outside the venue for their causes and agreed to speak to the Gretna Brownies group last night.

This was sure to help the local Brownies who are looking to obtain the recently-launched Pearly King & Queen Challenge Brownie badge, which is earned through charitable giving and has not yet been awarded to any Brownie group in Scotland.