As Prince Andrew was about to officially open the £130,000 Hopeman Skatepark, the audio system began to play up.

But to counter the problems, the quick-thinking Prince took two microphones in his hand and made sure he was heard loud and clear before unveiling a plaque to declare the park complete.

The sight amused more than 200 wellwishers, including Hopeman Primary School pupils, who gathered at the skatepark for Tuesday's visit. It was the only hiccup in what was another proud day for villagers, who were delighted to welcome back the Prince just three years after he joined them to celebrate the comunity's 200th anniversary.

Constructed over four years at a cost of £135,000, Hopeman Skatepark has more than 500 members and is regarded as a monument to the community spirit of Hopeman, and a gift to young people who enjoy the park with responsibility and pride.

This was acknowledged by Prince Andrew when he said: "It is a great pleasure to be here and recognise the community work and community atmosphere there is here. I congratulate you all on creating such a wonderful facility for young people."

The Prince chatted to some of the youngsters involved after watching displays in BMX cycling, skateboarding and roller blading. He shunned a safe sideline position to get into the heart of the action while the show was going on.

Skatepark stalwart Terry Brown, chairman of the club who accompanied the Prince, admitted: "We were to stand at the side, and I did panic and feared he may be by hit a flying skateboard, as that can happen.

"Prince Andrew was very good with the youngsters, talking to them and getting a lot of information from them.

"To me this marks the completion of the project, the final part of what we have done, and we could not ask for a better way to end."

Park users were also delighted to get the royal seal of approval.

Callum Stewart (22) from Elgin said: "He seemed really interested in what we are doing. He asked why I wasn't wearing pads and I told him that I used to, but if you don't wear them, it gives you more reason not to fall."

Emily Burnel (10) the only girl to feature in the display said she was more nervous about performing in front of the crowd than chatting to the Royal visitor.

"I was a bit nervous with all my classmates watching me, but Prince Andrew was nice and I was pleased that he came to meet with us."

The Prince also met up with one of his old Gordonstoun masters, George Welsh (84), who lives in Hopeman.

Mr Welsh taught Prince Andrew and his brothers, Charles and Edward, while head of PE at the independent school, and handed over a bottle of 30-year-old Macallan, gifted by the distillery, on behalf of the community.

"Prince Andrew was a grand pupil and a good all-rounder," recalled Mr Welsh, of Cameron Terrace.

"It's great he has returned to Hopeman to see the skatepark which is wonderful for the children. Every day that I pass the skatepark it is always busy."

The visit to Hopeman was the first of three official engagements for Prince Andrew on Tuesday. He went on to Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown for lunch with Banffshire Business, in his capacity as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, before heading to Eden Court Theatre in Inverness to re-open the centre after its major refurbishment.

e.green@northern-scot.co.uk

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