2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Reinterment of King Richard III at Leicester Cathedral. To mark this significant moment in history, we have organised a three-week programme of events and activities which have been supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Leicester Cathedral Revealed project.
A temporary installation, created by Mission Magpie and commissioned by the Cathedral will be available to visit during our regular opening hours from 17–31 March. This installation has been inspired by the Tom Denny stained-glass windows and will commemorate the human side of Richard's story and the grief he experienced during his life.
As part of this installation, we are inviting members of Leicester's diverse community to help us create 540 white roses, one for every year since the death of Richard III. As well as honouring Richard's anniversary, each rose will represent the memory of the loss of a loved one.
Richard III, who was killed in the battle of Bosworth in 1485, was the head of the House of York, which had the white rose as its symbol. During the Middle Ages, roses were considered common symbols of divinity and royalty. White roses are often included in floral arrangements, honouring a loved one's memory with their quiet elegance and purity. These blooms represent a farewell, a gesture of eternal love, and a reminder of cherished moments shared, often expressing hope and comfort during a loss.
If you would like to get involved and make a rose to hang in the Cathedral as part of the installation, please refer to the activity pack which is available to download below. Packs are also available to collect from the Cathedral welcome desk and the Mission Magpie Hub in Haymarket Shopping Centre.
Mission Magpie will be running drop-in sessions to make white roses every Wednesday afternoon from 12.00–4.00pm (starting on Wednesday 26 February) and are open 12.00–4.00pm on Fridays and 11.00am–5.00pm on Saturdays. You are welcome to just pop in and make a rose or collect fabric and supplies to take away with you.
Completed roses can also be dropped off at Mission Magpie or at the Cathedral welcome desk.
RIII - Make a White Rose instructions (PDF, 2.1 Mb)
