The Princess of Wales has stepped out for a surprise royal away day in Leicester, 300 miles away from her husband, Prince William.
During her solo visit to the Midlands, Kate, 44, celebrated the culture, community and heritage of the British-Indian community in the city on Thursday, following the Hindu spring festival of Holi.
The Princess looked stylish as ever in a cream jacket and matching coat, and was presented with a red flower garland necklace upon arrival. She said: “Thank you so much for having me. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the work I’ve heard some fantastic things.”
She began her day by visiting a dance company called Aakash Odedra, before going to several family-run businesses on Leicester’s famous ‘Golden Mile’, home to jewellery, sari, and fashion boutiques. There, she enjoyed tasting chai.
Later in the afternoon, the Princess visited the Hindu temple of Shreeji Dham Haveli, which is dedicated to the teachings of Shrimad Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji. She went barefoot as she took part in a traditional dance.
Kate and her husband, the Prince of Wales, were at opposite ends of the country on Thursday, with William visiting Cornwall for St Piran’s Day. However, last week they delighted royal fans with a joint visit to Wales, featuring several loved-up moments.
The Princess has made a gradual return to republic duties since revealing she was in remission for cancer in January last year. In 2024, she underwent a course of chemotherapy after a diagnosis earlier that year.
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The Princess of Wales enjoyed a royal away day to the Midlands today.
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Kate looked effortlessly stylish in a cream ensemble as she visited The Aakash Odedra Company.
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The royal mother-of-three was given a red flower garland, giving a “namaste” gesture in appreciation.
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Afterwards, Kate visited local businesses in The Golden Mile, a vibrant hub of South Asian culture with authentic cuisine, sweets and chai shops on Belgrave Road.
She took a five-minute walk down to the road to a local Sari shop called Ladlees.
“There’s a real celebration of colour, isn’t there,” the Princess said.
Princess Kate arrives for engagements in Leicester – watchKate Middleton arrives for engagements in Leicester
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She crossed the road to try some chai in Bobby’s restaurant, a family-run restaurant named after a 1973 Bollywood film.
The royal sat down for afternoon tea, where she admitted she loves coriander and is “ok” with spicy food.
She also declined to have sugar in her tea.
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The Princess looked joyful as she went barefoot to take part in a traditional dance.
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Aakash, an award-winning choreographer and dancer, founded the company in 2011 with the mission that art and culture should be available to all. Now, more than 1,000 people each week join the learning and participation programmes.
The royal mother-of-three viewed a rehearsal of Aakash’s latest work, ‘Songs of the Bulbul’, an interpretation of an ancient Sufi story about the bulbul, which is a songbird, perishing from despair.