Royal visit to Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery celebrates new chapter in Truro

Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in Truro proudly welcomed its first Royal visitor since reopening in March, as His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester toured the museum’s newly refurbished galleries.

A cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a full-time working member of the Royal Family, The Duke is associated with more than 150 charities and organisations and has a long-standing personal interest in heritage, architecture, and conservation.

The visit began with a warm welcome from Co-Directors Jonathan Morton and Bryony Robins, joined by Chair of Trustees Julie Caplin Grey. The Duke also met with local council representatives and Truro and Falmouth MP Jayne Kirkham before beginning his tour of the museum’s transformed spaces.

The Duke was shown the reimagined Mineral, Nature, and Art Galleries, where recent renovations have revitalised the museum’s extensive collections, offering immersive, accessible experiences for visitors of all ages. His visit continued into the Heart of Cornwall Gallery—home to iconic objects and artefacts that celebrate the region’s history, people, and landscape.

Commenting on the transformation, Bryony Robins said: “In transforming the galleries, we’ve prioritised accessibility, immersive storytelling, and community involvement. The return of the permanent art gallery has been especially well received by our visitors.”

Jonathan Morton added: “It was inspiring to hear The Duke’s positive reflections. He particularly admired the work of exhibition designers Wignall and Moore in revealing the building’s original architecture and bringing Cornwall’s story to life in new ways.”

The Duke also met with artist and explorer Tony Foster, who personally introduced his exhibition Exploring Time: A Painter’s Perspective. The watercolour diaries, chronicling journeys to remote and wild landscapes, resonated deeply with The Duke’s conservation interests.

Following the tour, the Royal guest paused for refreshments in the Courtney Library, home to the Royal Institution of Cornwall’s extraordinary collection of manuscripts, books, and archival material.

Before departing, The Duke signed the museum’s Visitor’s Book and participated in the ceremonial burial of a time capsule in the newly landscaped museum garden. This symbolic gesture marked a significant moment in the institution’s long history – first opened in 1919 and currently undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation to secure a sustainable and thriving future. The museum receives no regular government funding.

Chair of Trustees, Julie Caplin Grey, commented: “We were deeply honoured to welcome The Duke of Gloucester. His genuine interest in our work to modernise and re-present Cornish history, nature, and culture was greatly appreciated. We hope many others will be inspired to visit and experience the museum’s transformation.”