Leicester Cathedral was delighted to welcome His Royal The Duke of Edinburgh, on his visit to Leicester on Thursday 4 September 2025, as he attended engagements showing the city's diversity and rich history.

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonel Richard Hurwood, accompanied The Duke during his visit, which included the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the recently re-opened Jewry Wall Museum.

The final stop of the day was the Cathedral, where His Royal Highness was shown the completed restoration work and newly opened Heritage & Learning Centre.

A guided tour for the royal visit, with The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, included meeting those engaged in the design and construction work, as well as local artists, University of Leicester Archaeological Services staff, and community members to learn more about the discoveries made during the recent archaeological excavations, and the Cathedral's new family offering.

Music was sung by the Cathedral Choir, and a dance performance by Nupur Arts was followed by a visit to the Tomb of King Richard III.

His Royal Highness also met representatives of LOROS Hospice who spoke about its 40-year anniversary and the 'Stomp Around Leicester' fundraising trail, which has seen elephant statues installed across the city.

The day closed with the Dean inviting The Duke to unveil a brass plaque commemorating the visit.

The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, said:

"It was a great honour to welcome His Royal Highness to Leicester and to show him our historic Cathedral, with its royal connections as the resting place of Richard III and the ancient heritage of this location, but also to give him a glimpse of its exciting future as the beating heart of city and county.

It was wonderful to share this day with people across the Cathedral community, celebrating the work of partners, funders, and the many people who worked on the restoration project.

We are excited about being a cathedral for everyone in one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities, sharing the stories of both a working church and welcoming place for every community in a city that is at the heart of history's migration story."