Reinterment of Richard III - 10th Anniversary

What do you remember of when we reburied King Richard III?

The crowds? The pageantry? The music? For some, the poignancy as his coffin was lowered into its final resting place. The soils from his birthplace, where he died, and his home. His prayer book, carried reverently by the Duke of Gloucester.

Or perhaps you are coming to this story for the first time – curious about the threads of history that tie us to a man who lived 500 years ago?

Whatever you remember or are keen to learn, to mark the tenth anniversary of the reinterment you are invited to join us for a spectacular three-week programme of services, events, and activities in March 2025.

There's something for everyone as we rediscover and remember King Richard's story – both the historical one and the events of ten years ago.

Do join us.

12–15 March | 6.30–9.00pm
Late Night Openings
Come and see Light Up Leicester's amazing projections on the front of the Cathedral – and then pop-in to our late-night opening to hear a soundscape produced by De Montfort University students using recordings from our Richard III Oral History Project. A bar will be available.

Thursday 20 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Talk – The Scoliotic Knight: Reconstructing the Real Richard III
In this illustrated talk, Dr Toby Capwell explores how Richard III excelled in armoured combat despite a significant spinal condition and discusses his work on several reconstructions of King Richard's martial apparatus.
Tickets £6–8 from Eventbrite. Refreshments included.

Saturday 22 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Concert – Music for Kings and Queens
Leicester Cathedral Choir presents a programme of music for royal occasions, with music from the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Judith Bingham's Ghostly Grace, premiered at the Service of Reinterment, and music from the Coronation of King Charles III.
Tickets £12–15 from Eventbrite. A bar will be available.

Sunday 23 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Service – Service of Compline
A solemn and contemplative evening service of music and prayer honouring the memory of the last Plantagenet king.
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from the Latin completorium ('completion'). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. There is no charge to attend our services.

Monday 24 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Talk – Richard's Women: Their impact on his life, death and legacy
In this talk, acclaimed novelist Annie Garthwaite – author of Cecily and The King's Mother – reveals the untold story of the women who loved Richard, the women who feared him and the women who brought him down.
Tickets £6–8 from Eventbrite. Refreshments included.

Tuesday 25 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Talk – Dean's Discussion
Join us for the return of our Dean's Discussions, where The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, will hold a panel discussion on Sikh history linked with the Medieval Women Forging the Way exhibition in the Cathedral (see below).
A free event – booking on Eventbrite will be available soon.

Wednesday 26 March | 5.30pm (doors 4.45pm)
Service – Civic Service on the Tenth Anniversary
A Civic Service for the city and county on the day of the tenth anniversary, with music sung by the Cathedral Choir. Following the service there will be light refreshments and the Cathedral Bell ringers will ring a Quarter Peal.
All are welcome. There is no charge to attend our services.

Thursday 27 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Panel – Revisiting the Discovery and Reinterment
In this special panel discussion, our assembled experts from the worlds of archaeology, history, and the Cathedral revisit the amazing story that captured imaginations around the world. Expect lively conversation and new insights!
Tickets £6–8 from Eventbrite. Refreshments included.

Friday 28 March | 7.00pm (doors 6.30pm)
Medieval Banquet
Transport yourself back to late medieval England, with feasting on four sumptuous courses and live entertainment fit for a king. The York Waites perform a repertoire of medieval European music as well as their own arrangements of popular dance and ballad tunes.
Tickets at £90 from Eventbrite.

Saturday 29 March | 3.00pm (doors 2.30pm)
Richard III Afternoon Tea
An exclusive Richard III-themed afternoon tea – attendees will be sitting amongst specially invited VIP guests who were involved with the reinternment. With a bespoke afternoon tea by Cocco and Delilah and live entertainment, this commemorative event promises to be a memorable and unique experience.
Tickets at £55 on Eventbrite.

Recently displayed at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, this exhibition explores the close historical links between the Battle of Bosworth and the beginnings of the Sikh faith in Punjab – and has been brought to life thanks to Leicestershire County Council's Culture Leicestershire team and a local Sikh women's group.

Whilst much is known about the powerful women of the War of the Roses, the group has used extensive research, stories, and images to explore their medieval peers in Punjab and the paths they forged for generations of Sikh women around the world, dating back to 1469.

Discover the stories of remarkable resilience, courage, and service throughout history, with ten portraits of Sikh women created by the local community, a timeline, and share your own reflections about inspirational women.

Free admission – open during Cathedral visiting hours from 12 to 31 March