Museum takes up royal connection

The Queen Mother was the museum's patron for more than 40 years

A descendent of the late Queen Mother has taken over as patron of a County Durham museum.

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was patron of Bowes Museum for more than 40 years, until her death in 2002.

Her own family, the Bowes-Lyons, had strong links with the area around Barnard Castle, close to the museum.

Now the Friends of the Bowes Museum have announced that the Queen Mother's great nephew, the Earl of Strathmore, has taken over the role.

Lord Strathmore said: "Nothing would give me greater pleasure to take on the role as patron, particularly as I am succeeding my great aunt, Queen Elizabeth, of whom I was extremely fond."

Childhood visits

The museum, created more than 100 years ago by John and Joséphine Bowes, recently secured a £3.3m grant from the heritage Lottery Fund to improve visitor facilities.

It houses thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods.

A museum spokeswoman said: "For more than four decades the Friends of The Bowes Museum were honoured to have as their patron Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

"Her Majesty always expressed her delight at the connection between her family, the Bowes-Lyons, and The Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle, and remembered visiting Teesdale as a child when she stayed at nearby Streatlam Castle.

"Since her death the Friends have been without a patron, but they are delighted that the connection with the Queen Mother's family is to continue with the appointment of the Earl of Strathmore."