Prince Philip marks time lapse at Lord Mayor’s official residence

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s famous wit once again came to the fore when he arrived for a civic luncheon at the Lord Mayor of York’s official residence.

As the Royal party entered the Mansion House for the meal, Prince Philip noted that a clock was running slow and told the historic property’s staff that they must get it fixed.

Along with the Queen and Princess Beatrice of York, the Duke signed a visitors’ book in the Mansion House, which is run by York Council.

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Prince Philip joked that the book looked as though it had hardly been signed, to which Lord Mayor David Horton replied: “We don’t get many visitors as special as you.”

The Royal visitors were joined by 60 invited guests including dignitaries, community pride winners and council workers, for the luncheon prepared by Army and civilian chefs using the finest Yorkshire produce. They dined on aromatic duck salad, followed by chicken pimento roulade with rosemary-scented roasted new potatoes and lardons of bacon.

During the visit to the Mansion House, the Queen presented the Lord Mayor with a new “cap of maintenance” during a short ceremony. The significance of the hat dates back to 1393, when King Richard II presented the first cap to York and stipulated that it should not be taken off in front of God or King. The monarch traditionally presents the cap to the City of York, highlighting its importance as the cap signifies rank and prestige.