THE Jewish Museum celebrated its 75th anniversary in style with a special visit from Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The Royal couple met staff and youngsters at the museum in Albert Street, Camden Town, on Tuesday

THE Jewish Museum celebrated its 75th anniversary in style with a special visit from Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Royal couple met staff and youngsters at the museum in Albert Street, Camden Town, on Tuesday.

As well as exploring the museum for the first time, they were treated to a poetry performance by students of St Mary and St Pancras primary school who also showed off their painting skills.

Lady Wendy Levene, from the museum, said: "The visit went amazingly well - they were very impressed and interested. The religious gallery particularly captured them. They were just lovely and so normal."

The Prince of Wales is patron of the museum this year in what will be a massive 12 months for the organisation.

After receiving £4.2million in lottery cash, it is due to move out of its second home in Finchley so everything is under one roof at the Camden Town site. And the Prince of Wales was shown the plans which will mean tripling the size of the Albert Street museum.

But it wasn't just artwork of an architectural variety the couple explored.

They also watched a glass painting class by Year Five pupils from St Mary and St Pancras.

And the Duchess of Cornwall even leant the children a helping hand with their painting.

Iyesha Turay, 10, from Arlington Road, said: "I was so excited it was really good. Of all the people in my class, she decided to speak to me first.

"She was really nice and had a go at painting my glass. I was really happy with that. Prince Charles asked if I was having a nice day and said he thought my parents would be proud of me."

Sabrina Roy, 10, said: "She was really nice - she just asked to help. She did a little bit of my design so now it is famous."

Prince Charles decided to refrain from showing his artistic talents but still made the children's day.

Zainab Hendawy, nine, said: "He said what we had done was nice and asked where I got my design from. My mum and dad are going to be so excited. I am not shy and I wanted to talk to him."

Year Four children from the school were on hand to great the couple when they arrived. And two Chinese exchange students, who are only in Camden for two weeks, ensured they had a good story to tell on their return.

Zhu Rho Tong, 16, from Shenyang, and Fu Ke, 13, from Beijing, were allowed to present the pair with a bouquet of flowers at the end of the visit.

Ms Ke said: "We are very excited and are going to phone China. We are in shock."

katie.davies@hamhigh.co.uk