The chairman of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust is battling cancer, and only came out of hospital 48 hours before his visit.

"It was touch and go whether I would be able to attend," she said: "But Prince Charles was absolutely fantastic - and his office said beforehand they would do anything to make it simpler for me."

The prince, clearly touched by Mrs Mina's illness, offered her his arm on several occasions as they looked around the refurbished building, and as the two came down the steps after unveiling the opening plaque, he touchingly took her elbow to steady her.

Mrs Mina has already had chemotherapy with some success, and will undergo more treatment in the coming weeks.

She said: "It's a long road, but I'm a fighter and I've got a chance. I hope this gives even one other person who is fighting cancer hope after reading about me."

Mrs Mina is determined to oversee the public opening of the Royal Hall in April. She said: "This thing wants finishing. I want to see it up and running and alive again, with shows and entertainment for everyone."

Tuesday's visit was hailed a great success after Prince Charles arrived to be greeted by large crowds at around 3.50pm.

The Prince of Wales, patron to the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, attended the lavish ceremony at the theatre which has been faithfully transformed to its former 1903 glory.

The restoration was part-funded by a £2.7million donation from the trust, assisted by £6million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £2million from Harrogate Borough Council.

Following a tour of the building, Prince Charles heard performances 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.

The Prince, patron of the restoration trust, said the transformation over the last 18 months had been staggering. He said: "It is once again the palace of glittering gold that it was in 1903."