The Prince of Wales attended a lavish ceremony at the Grade II listed building which has been faithfully transformed to its former 1903 glory.

The theatre, built by Victorian architect Frank Matcham, was described as "a palace of glittering gold" when it first opened to the public more than 100 years ago.

Now 75,000 sheets of 23 carat gold leaf later, the hall sparkles once again thanks to the tireless work of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust.

Prince Charles, who visited the building in July 2006 to see for himself what the project would involve, said he was delighted to see the hall restored to the glory of more than a century ago.

Speaking in front of 250 special guests, donors and dignitaries, he said: "As patron of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am to be here today to see for myself the complete transformation that has been brought about in this magnificent building.

"It took a certain amount of imagination to see what it was and what it could become once again."

His visit to the Royal Hall was part of a busy day in North Yorkshire, in which he spent the morning touring farms in the north of the county before attending the ceremony at the Royal Hall.

The Prince of Wales spent a quiet evening dining with Mr Ian and Lady Deirdre Curteis at Markenfield Hall.

The restoration of the theatre was part-funded by a £2.7million donation from the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, a charity set up to raise funds for the work after structural problems forced the theatre to close in 2002.

Other contributors included the Heritage Lottery Fund, which provided £6million and Harrogate Borough Council, which gave £2million after setting the wheels in motion on the project.

Breathtaking

The Prince, who was dressed in a grey suit, a red and white pinstriped shirt and a red, gold and navy tie, added: "I once likened the Royal Hall to an elegant and lovely old lady who had fallen on somewhat hard times.

"As I look around now, I see that she has been taken back in time to the beauty and splendour of her youth, and the result is quite breathtaking.

"It is once again the palace of glittering gold that it was in 1903. I'm sure Frank Matcham is looking down with the greatest possible satisfaction.

"This wonderful old building has been returned to the heart of the social, economic, and cultural centre of Harrogate, which I think is one of this country's most special towns.

"We have shown faith in the future of Harrogate and we have given a gift of inestimable value."

A remarkable woman

Prince Charles also praised Lilian Mina for her hard work in helping raise money towards the Royal Hall, originally built in Harrogate's heyday as a successful and prominent European spa town, and now thought to be the sole surviving Kursaal – or cure hall – in the country.

Describing Mrs Mina as "remarkable", he added: "The Royal Hall is one of our great national treasures, but we have another national treasure here today. She has an unspeakable determination, courage and ineffability.

"It was Harrogate's most fortunate day when she came to live here 25 years ago. It is not surprising that you offered her the freedom of the town last year, and I am so pleased that her efforts were rewarded in the New Year's Honours List.

"Only a few people could deserve it more."

Lilian Mina said the icing on the cake of the restoration project was securing the help of the Prince of Wales.

Mrs Mina, who was awarded an MBE in January for leading the multi-million restoration bid, said: "It was hugely daunting, but I was given some very good advice which was to try and include the most prestigious people to help you. And the advice could not have been truer.

"You (Prince Charles] promoted the importance of the Royal Hall in the most important circles, which was vital in the early days when a dark cloud hung over the project.

"Your first visit to the Royal Hall 18 months ago was a marvellous catalyst in our fundraising. You opened a lot of eyes to the importance of the Royal Hall. From that moment, the trust never looked back.

Something to treasure

"Raising the funds to complete the restoration in one go was something that some thought impossible. There were some times when I was unsure about whether we were going to make it," Mrs Mina added.

She said: "Providing a place of beauty and inspiration is what we have collectively managed to achieve. It has been an incredibly satisfying and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.

"I believe that in restoring the Royal Hall, the people of Harrogate have come together and achieved something that is very special and will be treasured by future generations for years to come.

On arrival at the Royal Hall, Prince Charles was greeted by around 300 cheering onlookers to the sound of Harrogate Band and the Tom Roberts Jazz Band.

After meeting several dignitaries, including the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Harrogate Mayor Cliff Trotter, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis and Restoration Trust chairman Lilian Mina, the Prince switched on a light display on the steps of the hall.

Among those hoping to see the Prince was Barbara Bailey. Peering into her camera she was one of hundreds of residents to take a snapshot as he made his way towards the crowd.

"He stopped and told me he was sorry that we had to wait to see him. Then he asked me if I was going to Bettys later on. I said I wasn't and he said he couldn't make it either.

"I have seen him a couple of times before, but this was the first time I met him up close," she said.

Harrogate Band's musical director David Lancaster said: "We are very pleased to be here for the opening of the Royal Hall. The band has always supported the Royal Hall and we were looking forward to playing in front of the Prince.

His Royal Highness was then presented with a posy of cream and purple flowers by little Elif Yannac, an eight-year-old student from the Knaresborough and Harrogate Dance Centre.

Once inside, the Prince met with Joanna David - representing Edward Fox, honorary President of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, and Dame Fanny Waterman DBE, honorary vice-President of the trust.

Talented artists and performers

After meeting members of the construction team, artists and painters, Prince Charles then took a tour around the ambulatory before being treated to a musical performance by more than 80 musicians from Tewit Youth Band, St. Aidan's School Chamber Choir, and BBC Choristers of the Year Emma Whiteley and William Dutton.

Emma, a 16-year-old pupil studying for her GCSE exams at Harrogate Ladies College, said although she was nervous before singing in front of the Prince, this wasn't her first time in the Royal Hall.

"I can remember the building from when I have been here before, but when I walked in today I just said 'wow'.

"It is such an honour to be performing here in front of Prince Charles. It is like a mini Royal Albert Hall."

William, who celebrated his thirteenth birthday last week, added: "It is absolutely fantastic. I love the gold stars on the blue roof and the stained glass windows that were destroyed during World War II. The hall has such lovely acoustics too."

Speaking after the Prince of Wales unveiled a commemorative plaque to officially open the Royal Hall, MP Phil Willis said the Royal Hall is something to be proud of. He said: "I just think this is the most remarkable achievement during my time in Harrogate.

"The work of Lilian and the trust of restore it to its original glory is amazing, and to have Prince Charles here to open it is the icing on the cake."

The restoration of the theatre was part-funded by a £2.7million donation from the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, a charity set up to raise funds for the work after structural problems forced the theatre to close in 2002.

Other contributors included the Heritage Lottery Fund, which provided £6million and Harrogate Borough Council, which gave £2million after setting the wheels in motion on the project.

Construction consultants Turner & Townsend has worked with Harrogate Borough Council to provide project management throughout the restoration process.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Harrogate Council, Turner & Townsend assessed the costs for the scheme and supported the council in choosing a way forward which met the aspirations of the council.

Praising the council for delivering the restoration on time, Prince Charles added: "When we constantly hear about national projects being over-budget and late, this was an exemplar project, and I congratulate Harrogate Borough Council for that.

"Everyone has worked closely together as a team and this has been essential in bringing this project in on time."

Leader of Harrogate Borough Council Mike Gardner added: "For the Prince to comment that this council was an exemplar for others to follow in the management of such big projects was especially pleasing.

"This building has been saved and beautifully restored because the contractors chosen were those who had vast experience in restoring heritage buildings. This was coupled with the fact that we had a project scheme which met the aspirations of the council and the funds available.

"This innovative system, referred to by the Prince, was used to control expenditure of contingency which increased the certainty of delivery within budget.

"I hope now that local groups, societies and arts organisations will once again fill the building to capacity as they welcome back what they fondly call 'Harrogate's village hall'."

Andrew Duncan, of Forest Avenue, Starbeck, was among those waiting to see Prince Charles leaving the Royal Hall.

Despite being on crutches, Mr Duncan said he had wanted too see the Prince. He said: "He asked me if I had been standing outside just to see him. When I told him I had been, he said 'thank you for waiting'.

"I had seen in the Advertiser that he was going to be here, so I hobbled down especially to try and catch a glimpse.

"I have seen him before at the Great Yorkshire Show, but this is the first time I have shook his hand or got this close."

Royal Hall Facts and Figures

• The decoration work took a combined 37,000 man hours, equivalent to more than four years of non-stop work.

• 112,500 sheets of 23.5 carat gold leaf were used in addition to 15kg of Gold bronze powder.

• 3,600 litres of paint were used by a team of 120 decorators.

• The blue paint for the ceiling mural could not be sourced in the UK - it actually comes from a mine in Afghanistan and arrives as a powder. It gives the painting depth and detail that could not otherwise be achieved and costs about £3,000 an ounce.

• 40km of cabling was used in the renovation of the Royal Hall.

• Constructors said more gold paint has been used than on any other building they have worked on and that there is nothing as elaborate as this going on in the country at the moment.

• The original Arcadian friezes have been reproduced - one of the nymphs is in the likeness of Lilian Mina MBE, chairman of Royal Hall Restoration Trust.

• The four corners of the ceiling depict four coat of arms - original 1884 Coat of Arms of Harrogate Council, current Coat of Harrogate of Harrogate Borough Council, Prince of Wales Feathers and original family coat of arms of Samson Fox, whose grandson Edward Fox is trust President.

• A time capsule placed within the ceiling space by Harrogate Mayor Cliff Trotter will safeguard the history of the restoration for generations to come.

For more information and a full picture spread, see Friday's Harrogate Advertiser.