(Image: York Museums Trust)
The Duke of Gloucester visited an exhibition of Iron Age artefacts kept on display in York after members of the public raised more than £70,000 to keep it in the city.
Prince Richard, the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, visited the Yorkshire Museum when he was in York on Wednesday, July 22.
He was given a tour of the museum which included its exhibition about the Melsonby Hoard, more than 800 Iron Age artefacts discovered by a metal detectorist in the village of Melsonby near Richmond.
Dr Adam Parker examining some of the Iron Age artefacts, found in the Melsonby Hoard
(Image: Gareth Buddo for York Museums Trust)
The Yorkshire Museum acquired the Melsonby Hoard last year after receiving £192,096 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund along with £74,000 in donations from members of the public.
Professor Tom Moore, head of archaeology at Durham University, examined the hoard after it was found and said it could lead to a revaluation of the wealth and status of the elite living in northern Britain 2,000 years ago. He described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime discovery”.
The Duke of Gloucester greeted by York Museums Trust's Kathryn Blacker outside the Yorkshire Museum in York
(Image: York Museums Trust)
The archaeologist said the destruction of “so many high-status objects” was “rarely seen in Iron Age Britain” and “demonstrates that the elites of northern Britain were just as powerful as their southern counterparts”.
Prince Richard, a patron of arts and humanities whose official residence is at Kensington Palace in London, was shown the hoard and spoke to Yorkshire Museum staff about its work and exhibitions.
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Kathryn Blacker, chief executive of York Museums Trust which runs the museum, said it was “immensely grateful to his royal highness for choosing to visit us here in York”.
“We were delighted to welcome his royal highness, the Duke of Gloucester to the Yorkshire Museum last week, it was a pleasure to present the rich history and incredible collections across the Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens.
(Image: Gareth Buddo for York Museums Trust)
“We have a great many stories at York Museums Trust, spanning thousands of years, we were incredibly fortunate to share our Yorkshire success story of our wonderful acquisition of the Iron Age Melsonby Hoard with the duke.
“It was a delight to share all the incredible research that has already been completed, and overwhelming community support the project received.”
Prince Richard, whose father was the third son of King George V and Queen Mary, also visited the National Railway Museum and York Minster while in York.
His York hosts kept quiet about their VIP guest but the duke's visit was confirmed on the royal court diary, and by officials afterwards.