Princess Beatrice of York has agreed to become patron of York Musical Society (YMS).

David Pipe, musical drector of the society, which is the oldest in the country, said: “It is a great honour for the York Musical Society to have a royal patron. We are all delighted that Her Royal Highness has accepted the invitation and we look forward to welcoming her to one of our concerts.”

YMS traces its origins back to 1765. The following century in 1825, Rule Two said “No person in any business or profession shall be deemed admissible as a member of this society unless he be a principal or partner in such business or profession”.

The total membership was limited to 60, who met on Mondays at 7pm in Baynes’s coffee house in Petergate. Supper was at 9.30pm and cost two shillings, which included malt liquor.