The Princess of Wales immersed herself in the vibrant culture of Leicester’s ‘Golden Mile’, where she embraced Indian dance, savored authentic ‘chai’, and explored local family enterprises, all to spotlight the Indian community in Britain.
During her day trip to the Midlands, Kate engaged with individuals celebrating Holi, the Indian festival known for its vibrant colors, love, and the advent of spring, as she honored the city’s rich tapestry of diversity, innovation, and history.
Her itinerary began with a visit to the Aakash Odedra Company, a dynamic organization that reaches over a thousand individuals weekly through its extensive community dance initiatives.
Established in Leicester in 2011 by the acclaimed choreographer and dancer Aakash Odedra, the company aims to foster a ‘happier and healthier society through the medium of dance and the arts’.
Recently, the dance company collaborated with the charity Move Against Cancer to provide Bollywood dance classes specifically designed for individuals recovering from the illness.
Last year, the Princess shared the uplifting news of her remission following a cancer diagnosis earlier in 2024.
Following a course of chemotherapy, the 44-year-old has made a gradual return to royal duties.
Catherine was dressed today in a bespoke Chris Kerr tailored white midi coat and a Polo Ralph Lauren white ‘Jamie’ dress.
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits the Aakash Odedra Company where she meets dancers today
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester to celebrate British Indian people in the city today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales visits the Aakash Odedra Company where she meets dancers today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester to celebrate British Indian people in the city today
The Princess of Wales at The Aakash Odedra Company, as she visits Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester to celebrate British Indian people in the city today
The Princess of Wales visits the Aakash Odedra Company where she meets dancers today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales clutches a bag as she visits the Aakash Odedra Company today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
Her outfit also featured Sézane’s Dina earrings in gold with blue gemstones hanging from the tassels, and an Emmy London ‘Natasha’ brown clutch bag.
On her solo visit to Leicester today, Kate visited a community centre where she was shown some Bollywood dancing and given a separate solo performance by Birmingham-born Odedra.
He is trained in Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance styles and lived in India where he became a student of Shiamak Davar, a renowned Bollywood choreographer.
Odedra, who continues to perform across the world, showed the princess a rehearsal of his latest work, ‘Songs of the Bulbul’.
This is an interpretation of an ancient Sufi story about a captured songbird, or bulbul, which sings an exquisite tune before perishing from despair.
The show was created with choreographer Rani Khanam and composer Ranjan, the associate artist of the Royal Albert Hall.
Odedra combines Ranjan’s new score, played by a live orchestra from Manchester Camerata, and the voice of Abi Sampa in a show that features music, dance and the poetry traditions of Sufism.
Afterwards, Kate took a five-minute walk down to local Sari shop Ladlees on the Golden Mile on the city’s Belgrave Road, one of the streets in the UK with the highest concentration of shops and restaurants offering Indian jewellery, fashion and sweets.
She then crossed the road to try some chai in Bobby’s restaurant, a family-run business named after a 1973 Bollywood film.
