The Duke of Kent visited York’s most famous landmarks yesterday, including the Jorvik Viking Centre, York Minster and York Mosque.
Prince Edward, the Queen’s first cousin and grandson of King George V, spent time in the second most-important ecclesiastical centre in, spending time in the largest gothic cathedral in Europe.
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He first visited York Minster on one of his many tours of the cathedral, which is also where he married his wife Miss Katharine Worsley in 1961. Volunteer guide Dr John Gough showed Edward around the Minster and then the Chapter House, plus a collection of treasured items belonging to the Minster that have been put on public display. He also met the Dean of York, The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull.
The duke of kent visited york minster (royal family)
In the collection in the Chapter House were the order of service and the altar cushions that were used during the Prince’s wedding.
The Dean said, “Many parts of the 800-year-old cathedral will have been familiar to him but it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to show him the results of recent conservation and restoration projects, including the work on the 15th century Great East Window, which will be completed next year.
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“Other items shown to The Duke from the Minster’s 300,000 strong historic collection included a 1633 Charles I bible and a Greek patriarchal cross from 1688, which shows a beautifully carved depiction of Christ’s baptism and crucifixion.”
Later the Prince was taken on a journey back in time, at the newly refurbished Jorvik Viking Centre which has undergone a multi-million pound regeneration after a devastating flood destroyed many of the historic displays last year.
Edward was taken on a tour of the centre by the new chair of York Archaeological Trust, Anthony Robards, CEO David Jennings and director of attractions Sarah Maltby, on the new mechanised route.
the duke of kent at the jorvik viking centre, york (royal family)
York Mosque was the Duke’s last stop, which is nearing the completion of an ambitious £1.4 million building project.
Sarah Maltby said, “It has been a phenomenal few months since we reopened Jorvik in April, with strong visitor numbers and excellent feedback on the re-imagined centre, so we were proud to showcase the hard work of the team today.”
At the end of the day, the Prince visited York Mosque which is coming to the end of a £1.4 million building project. He met worshippers and clergy who talked him through the building works and the history of the mosque.
