THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have officially opened the BAM-built V&A Dundee.
Their Royal Highnesses visited the new international design museum and met with its architect Kengo Kuma, key members of the team who created Scotland’s first design museum, and local designers, schoolchildren and young people who have worked with V&A Dundee.
The Duke and Duchess toured the museum’s permanent Scottish Design Galleries and viewed Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s restored Oak Room, which originally opened in Glasgow in 1908.
To mark the museum officially open, the Duke and Duchess then unveiled a carved wooden panel which will be displayed in the museum’s entrance foyer.
Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee said, “V&A Dundee is an ambitious new international museum, and we are honoured that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today declared the museum officially open.
“V&A Dundee is at the heart of Dundee’s transforming waterfront, and is a key part of the city’s plans for an exciting future. Within our remarkable building, designed by Kengo Kuma, we are proud to host world-class permanent galleries and remarkable exhibitions that have already delighted and inspired hundreds of thousands of people.”
Lord Lieutenant Ian Borthwick, Lord Provost of Dundee said, “I am delighted to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to V&A Dundee. This magnificent building is continuing to raise the city’s global profile and celebrates Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.
“Dundee is a UNESCO City of Design, a place where culture is helping to transform people’s lives. This museum has already brought huge benefits to the city of Dundee.”
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A added, “We are truly grateful for the support that our Royal Patron, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge have shown to V&A Dundee, the flagship institution of our growing family of V&A sites.
“This official opening recognises the museum’s transformative impact on Dundee and further strengthens the city’s position as a new international cultural destination.”
