Princess Kate makes a solo outing to Leicester to celebrate South Asian culture
Princess Kate arrived in the city of Leicester, England this morning for a solo engagement dedicated to celebrating South Asian culture and community, one day after the Hindu festival of Holi took place.
For her surprise visit, the Princess of Wales took the opportunity to stop by the city’s vibrant cultural centers, like the Aakash Odedra Company (an international touring dance group), the Shreeji Dham Haveli Hindu temple, and the “Golden Mile” shopping hub, where she enjoyed performances, took part in spiritual ceremonies, spoke with artisans, and connected with local citizens.
Princess Kate visits the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester, England.
Per the city’s government website, there is a strong South Asian population within Leicester. Of the 43.4% that are Asian, 34.3% come from Indian heritage, while 3.4% are Pakistani, and 1.9% are Bangladeshi.
As she got to meet with members of the city, Kate opted for a midi dress with a white round-neck bodice and a cream pleated skirt, which she layered under a white single-breasted coat.
For the outing, Kate chose a cream ensemble with contrasting brown accessories.
For a bit of contrast, the Princess of Wales chose a couple chocolate-hued accessories, including what appeared to be her suede Gianvito Rossi Gianvito 85s, as well as a foldover clutch to match.
The real showstoppers though were her Dina earrings from Sézane—an accessory that she debuted on Christmas Day back in 2022, which are defined by their hammered-metal, gold-plated discs and tassels strung with ocean-blue gemstones.
Kate accessorized with a set of Sézane earrings, while sporting a rose garland bestowed upon her by the dance company.
The Princess of Wales visits the Shreeji Dham Haveli Hindu temple.
At the Aakash Odedra Company, Kate was gifted with a pearl-string garland decorated with roses, which was later replaced with a flower garland as she visited the Shreeji Dham Haveli temple.
Traditionally, in Indian culture, garlands can represent many things, from love to prosperity and beauty. (You’ve probably seen weddings where the happy couple was draped in floral garlands.) They can also be a symbol of respect, which was likely the intention as the members of Leicester welcomed the Princess of Wales this morning.
