The people's gallery of the East End got royal endorsement today.

Prince William officially inaugurated the Whitechapel Gallery after its £13.5 million revamp and extension.

But before he unveiled a plaque marking his visit, the young royal joked he was there in disguise. “I'd just like to admit to something today - I'm actually Banksy,” he said, adding to much laugher: “I thought this would be a good forum to bring it out. Any autographs I will do afterwards.”

Prince William, who studied history of art for a period at St Andrews University, said he was particularly delighted to open the new extension since his great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, had opened the last one in 1985.

“She was devoted to this place and this morning I learnt why,” he said.

On a tour of the exhibition, he saw work by David Hockney, Damien Hirst and an optical illusion painting of wavey lines by Bridget Riley which prompted William to tell her: “It's like one of those eye games - it's fantastic.”

Artist Michael Craig-Martin, who showed the prince around, said: “Because he studied art history, you could tell he was comfortable looking at the works. He showed a natural interest in all the things we were showing him.”

• 

  Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

  As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels

  ---

• 

  Spread of the Jedhead

  Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

  ---

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories