AN unlikely duo of royalty and showbiz came together to reopen a Hampshire military museum.

The appearance of Prince Michael of Kent at the King's Royal Hussars Museum in Winchester yesterday was perhaps not a surprise. He served for 19 years in the 11th Hussars, a forerunner of the KRH.

However, the presence of Sir Norman Wisdom, 91, might have been less expected.

The comic clown, though, was a soldier in the 10th Hussars, which was later amalgamated into the KRH.

Sir Norman, wearing a regimental tie, told the Daily Echo: "I'm thrilled to bits to be here.

"It is a great honour. I made wonderful friends in the Army. It was a great place to be."

He joined the regiment as a teenager in 1930 and served in India until returning home in 1936.

It gave him the chance to hone the talent which made him a huge star in the 1950s and 60s.

His manager, Johnny Mans, said that Sir Norman was not fully retired and negotiations are taking place for acting parts in EastEnders and Holby City.

Later this month he is performing on board QE2, leaving Southampton on June 16.

More than 100 former soldiers attended the ceremony at Peninsula Barracks, in which Prince Michael formally declared the museum open after a £360,000 refurbishment.

It is the regiment's second major event in Winchester this year following the Freedom Parade in April.

The Colonel of the regiment, Brig Christopher Price, welcomed guests, with Sir Norman taking several comic bows to warm applause from the crowd.

Prince Michael, before unveiling a plaque, said: "Even before the refurbishment it was an exceptional museum.

"I'm told it's now right at the top of the league of Winchester's many military museums."

Major Dougie Covill, a former city councillor and mayor of Winchester, who served in the regiment in the Second World War, said that the museum should be important to younger generations.

"I think youngsters will learn what their forefathers have done for them to maintain peace and freedom," he said.

After the opening, the guests toured the museum and Sir Norman saw a photograph of himself when serving in India. The party later went on to a reception in the Great Hall.

The overhaul was made possible by a year of fundraising and a grant of £144,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The major new feature is the Horse Power' exhibition, telling the regiment's history from the age of the horse to the Challenger battle tank.