Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are to wed on a ship chartered by the Queen.

The couple were keen to marry at their French estate Château Miraval later this summer, but have changed their minds thanks to their son Maddox, 11, and are now looking to tie the knot aboard the Hebridean Princess cruise instead, which sails across the Scottish Isles.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ''It was Maddox who came up with the idea of the ship. He came across it after looking back at photos of the Carnell Estate in Ayrshire, where they stayed and all loved.

''So now they've made enquiries into booking the whole vessel.

''It's just what they're after. It can hold up to 50 of their friends and family and serve as a traditional, romantic setting -- all totally private.

''Or they could always sail to a secluded bay off the Orkney or Shetland islands and have the ceremony there.''

The source added: ''The fact that Maddox found it makes it more special.''

The luxury ship has been used by the British Monarch on two occasions - in 2006 to celebrate her 80th birthday and again in 2010 for a family holiday - and could force the pair - who have children Maddox, Pax, nine, Zahara, eight, Shiloh, six, and four-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne - to fork out around £300,000 to have the ceremony on board.

Ken Charleson, chief operating officer of the ship's owners, Hebridean Island Cruises, said: ''We have a very confidential relationship with a number of high-profile guests.

''I can't confirm whether they have been making enquiries or not.

''But of course, they are more than welcome.''