The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay attended the official opening ceremony
By Darius Jedburgh
Photo courtesy of Anttoni James Numminen
On Tuesday 21 September, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay attended the official opening ceremony of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
The £34.6m four-year redevelopment of the gallery was completed in 2019 but was not officially opened until this month.
Aberdeen Art Gallery is home to one of the finest collections in the UK.
Spanning over 700 years, the Collection of National Significance includes works by important Scottish artists, designers and makers such as Henry Raeburn, Joan Eardley, Samuel Peploe, Rachel McLean, Bill Gibb and James Cromar Watt, as well as nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including Barbara Hepworth, Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin and Claude Monet.
The royals were welcomed by school children from Robert Gordon College and were guided around the gallery by Lord Provost Barney Crockett.
Other local dignitaries and guests were also present, including council leader Jenny Laing, some veterans and members of the media.
The Duchess, who is Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, appeared to be in good spirits, joking and chatting with staff and school children.
Earlier this year a poll conducted by The Gaudie on the royal’s position as Chancellor gained national attention after it showed over 70 per cent of those surveyed said they did not think Her Royal Highness (HRH) should remain in her role at the University.
