THE PRINCE of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were today presented with a Robert the Bruce sword during the opening of the Aberdeen art gallery.
Prince Charles and Camilla, whose official Scottish titles are the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, have been spending some time north of the border over the course of the last few weeks. Their latest visit was in the Granite City's recently refurbished art gallery.
Upon attending the official opening today, they were presented with a replica sword of Robert the Bruce – one of Scotland’s most famous freedom fighters.
Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeen City, Barney Crockett, was also in attendance today and accompanied the Prince and Duchess around the gallery as they met staff and members of the redevelopment team. He described the royal visit to the gallery which recently had a makeover estimated to be worth £34.6 million, as a ‘tremendous honour'.
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The Lord Lieutenant said: “The Art Gallery is home to one of the finest collections in the UK, and the ambitious redevelopment project has created a safe, welcoming and inspiring civic space both for the people of Aberdeen and visitors to the city.
“It is a tremendous honour to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay to carry out the official opening of Aberdeen Art Gallery.”
The gallery had initially re-opened its doors in November 2019 after a four-year refurbishment, but it was forced to close again during the coronavirus pandemic. Now after it has been closed for nearly six years, it began welcoming the public today with the royals the first through the door.
With the gallery being free to enter, it houses three floors of exhibitions with an upstairs viewing platform with views of the city of Aberdeen.
Prince Charles will have been aware of his family ties to the sword he was presented with as Robert the Bruce has links to the Queen’s Scottish heritage. She is descended from Mary, Queen of Scots, James I – who was James VI of Scotland – and Robert the Bruce himself, who secured Scotland’s independence from England in the 14th century.
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