Queen praises art revamp

Sep 14, 2006, 14:43 GMT

Britain\'s Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a matching turquoise outfit and hat arrives with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh at Ascot Race course in Berkshire, near London Friday 23rd June 2006 for the final day of the annual Royal Ascot meeting. EPA/Lindsey Parnaby

Britain's Queen Elizabeth visited an art gallery to view its £28 million refurbishment yesterday (13.09.06).

The monarch praised the impressive renovation work as she toured Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

She said: "As well as preserving the fabric and spirit of this great institution, the project has provided an opportunity to increase the scope and scale of the exhibitions of Kelvingrove's remarkable civic collection."

Following its revamp, the gallery has been extremely popular with visitors and is tomorrow (15.09.06) expecting its millionth guest since it reopened to the public in July.

More that 200 people gathered outside the building to welcome the monarch, who was accompanied by her husband Prince Philip and Lord Provost Liz Cameron - the civic head of Glasgow.

Before the tour of the building, the royal party met with staff and benefactors.

They were then joined by over 400 guests for a civic lunch in the museum's main hall.

The queen's visit was warmly received by the gallery's management.

Robert Smith, vice chairman of Kelvingrove's refurbishment appeal, said: "It's just terrific. This really sets the seal on the museum's rebirth."

(C) BANG Media International