Local MP, Steve Brine, joined crowds in Winchester, as the city welcomed Prince Charles with applause on his arrival to officially unveil The Arc.
The Prince of Wales revealed a commemorative plaque to mark the completion of a project which has seen the city’s library undergo a £715,000 transformation. His Royal Highness also kept his promise to view the statue of Licoricia of Winchester in front of what was a bumper crowd, having previously had to withdraw from a scheduled visit in February after testing positive for Covid.
Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, introduced him to a selection of local leaders including Winchester MP Steve Brine and mayor of Winchester, Councillor Vivian Achwal, before he set off down Jewry Street to speak with delighted spectators.
Prince Charles then took the opportunity to view the statue with Maggie’s husband, William Carver, and award-winning sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley, who said he was “extremely complimentary” of his work.
He said: "It's an enormous pleasure to see Prince Charles, he's an incredibly busy man. Normally if something is cancelled, his diary is so full that it's very difficult to get him a second time, so I take that as a great favour for Winchester. He was extremely complimentary of the statue."
The Prince of Wales was in good spirits as he met the schoolchildren from Park Community School, St Bede Church of England Primary School and Kings Worthy Primary School, who helped unveil the statue on February 10 and other trustees who campaigned for the statue’s erection.
Tony Stoller, from Licoricia appeal, said: "It has been a huge day for the Jewish community, for Winchester, for the statue and for those of us who have been working on this for years.
"It's remarkable that Prince Charles was able to come back at such short notice. The fact that it matters to him is very important to us as well.
"Clearly, this is something he thinks is very important. He was very supportive and very interested and very informed and impressed."
In what was a day of dual celebrations for Winchester, His Royal Highness moved inside to the lobby of the city's library The Arc where he officially unveiled the site, formerly called the Discovery Centre, after its £715,000 refurbishment.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans, gave a speech.
He said: “It’s been a remarkable day and I would like to thank everybody who turned out to join us here in Winchester, to welcome His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
"It has been so uplifting to see people enjoying a special day together, helping to write a new chapter in the city’s already rich royal history, and creating an early high point in Hampshire’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
"It is particularly fitting that the Prince’s visit seeks to promote tolerance and diversity by highlighting the inspiring life story of an extraordinary medieval Jewish businesswoman. The statue of Licoricia has been a generous gift to Winchester, which provides another compelling reason to visit The Arc, an exciting new addition to the city’s cultural scene and the home of Winchester library.”
As Prince Charles emerged from the library he was met with further cheers and spent another 10 minutes meeting people in the crowd before heading back down Jewry Street as part of an escorted convoy.
