THE DUKE of Edinburgh was given an insight yesterday into the efforts to continue the frigate Unicorn’s love affair with Dundee by marrying it with RSS Discovery in a new maritime focal point at the heart of the city.

The duke heard from an impassioned group of Unicorn Preservation Society governors; the Earl of Dalhousie, the chair of the society; and city council planning director Mike Galloway.

The ship’s future in the city has been placed in doubt several times over the last couple of years, but the duke heard the campaigners are adamant its 130-year association with Dundee will continue.

The duke was greeted by rain as his vehicle drew up next to the Unicorn, his arrival piped by members of the Royal Navy.

He was met by the earl and society governor Lieutenant Commander Roderick Stewart and taken on a tour of the ship.

As he boarded, the duke recalled to the earl how his last visit was during “the time of his parents.”

He was led into the captain’s cabin where he met George Gall, another society governor, and Robert Prescott, chair of the advisory committee on national historic ships.

The duke was given an overview of the society’s plans to preserve the decaying ship and its potential future as part of a new water feature next to the Tay Road Bridge.

Mr Stewart spoke of the problems with the Unicorn, highlighting its loss of shape and the need for funding to continue preservation work.

The proposal is part of the 30-year redevelopment of the waterfront, designed to re-connect the river with the city.

Mr Prescott said the ship is of major importance nationally and internationally.

He told how his group told the governors they would provide cash for a consultant to lead the preservation team.

The duke took a keen interest in the plans, asking questions about cost, funding and the ship’s relationship to RSS Discovery, which is part of the separate Dundee Heritage Trust.

Earlier, he visited Sensation science centre to mark the opening of summer exhibition Vanishing Ice.

He was greeted on arrival by Dundee’s deputy lord provost, Joe Morrow, and Sensation chief executive Paul Jennings.

The duke also met lucky Dundee primary school children Euan Kelly and Callum Mackay, who are junior board members of the centre.

He was then taken on a tour around the exhibits with Mr Morrow and Mr Jennings.

The exhibition takes a look at climate change through the eyes of the polar regions.