THE Duke of York has been visiting the city today, as the York 800 celebrations reach a climax.

Prince Andrew joined in the festivities, 800 years to the day since York was granted its Royal charter by King John. He visited the Yorkshire Museum’s York800 exhibition, attended the cake giveaway in St Sampson’s Square, visited the Explore Library and toured the set of the Mystery Plays.

The set is currently under construction for this year’s play, which involves a local team of over 1,000 people and is returning to the Museum Gardens for the first time since 1988.

Viewing the structure alongside lead actors Ferdinand Kingsley and Graeme Hawley and artistic directors Damien Cruden and Paul Burbridge, Prince Andrew said: “It’s amazing how quickly these things go up. It’s the same as watching the stands being built outside the palace. They come down much more quickly than they go up.

“I do wish you every, every success. Especially with the number of people you have got to put this together. It’s a remarkable achievement. It’s all about participation of people in the city. I think it’s great, it’s absolutely fantastic.

“I wish you every, every success and hope the weather turns into something quite manageable.”

Three stands have capacity for a 1400-strong audience for performances throughout August, said by organisers to represent the biggest outdoor theatrical performance in Britain this year.

The Duke of York then went on to visit York Explore Library and attended the York 800 cake giveaway in St Sampson’s Square, which served 800 cupcakes made by students of York College.

Earlier in the day, Prince Andrew visited Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Northern Airbase in RAF Topcliffe where he unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion as well as being shown around their facilities.