PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Britain's Prince Edward was in Philadelphia Wednesday to rededicate the Bicentennial Bell, a gift from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The bell now has a new, public home in the Benjamin Rush Garden at 3rd and Walnut Streets.
The Queen presented the bell, a 200th birthday gift to the U.S., on July 6th, 1976. It hung in the old visitor center until 2013, when it was placed in storage while funds were raised to restore the surrounding garden and create a space for public display. The Prince, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, approved of the new setting.
"Thank you for taking care of the bell and for treasuring it and for understanding everything that it stood for when Her Late Majesty presented it to the nation," he said, drawing applause. "Yes, it is true, we did have a couple of wars against each other, but we've been on the same side more than we've been on opposite sides, and that's really important."
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker joined the Prince at the ceremony, highlighting the shared values celebrated by the bell's rededication.
"It is for us the reaffirmation of the values we continue to hold dear: democracy, resilience, and mutual respect."
The mayor also thanked Edward for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, a program to help students gain skills and self-confidence through recreation, service, and adventure.
During his visit, the Prince also visited Constitution High School. This marks his third visit to Philadelphia.
