Prince Charles: Couple arrested for posing with crossbow and lock-knife on the grounds of Dumfries House where royal was staying

The bizarre turn of events led to the pair appearing in court this week

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visits stalls during The Prince's Countryside Fund Raceday at Ascot Racecourse on March 29, 2015 in Ascot, England. (Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

A couple have been arrested at Dumfries House, where Prince Charles is staying, for allegedly cavorting with a crossbow and a lock-knife while taking erotic photographs.

Mary McDougall, 23, and Steven Stewart, 38, were accosted by police following their unusual 90-minute romp in the grounds of the county estate.

Both were charged with breach of the peace, while McDougall was additionally charged with possessing an item with a blade or point.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, a police source claimed McDougall was modelling for the amateur photographer.

“It would appear that the man was taking photographs of the woman who was scantily dressed, to say the very least,” they were quoted as saying.

“He is not a professional photographer and she is not a professional glamour model, so people can draw their own conclusions as to what sort of photographs they were taking.

“They were within the grounds of a stately home owned by the future king and carrying a crossbow and a knife. It…could have been a very sinister situation.”

The alarm was initially raised by staff on the grounds, before the two were arrested by royal protection officers on Tuesday. They appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court before they were remanded in custody.

“Mary’s family are distraught,” Dawn Grimes, McDougall’s manager at The Wee Chippy restaurant where she works, was quoted as saying.

“The family told me the bow has no arrows, it is something her dad has in his hut.

“They went to take photographs because Steven is a keen photographer and had new equipment. What has happened after that is difficult to believe, it’s an enormous overreaction.”

Police Scotland confirmed that Prince Charles had been staying at Dumfries House at the time, and had opened an education centre on the grounds earlier that same day.

The news comes as Prince Charles eagerly awaits the arrival of his second grandchild in London.

The Duchess of Cambridge is now almost a week overdue, with many rushing to place bets on the second royal baby being born in London today.