Princess Kate Celebrates Holi in Leicester with Dance and Traditional Garlands
The Princess of Wales made a vibrant appearance in Leicester on Thursday, celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi with a display of cultural engagement and sartorial elegance. Kate, 44, arrived in the East Midlands city to mark the Indian festival of colour, love, and spring, receiving a warm welcome from enthusiastic crowds.
A Stunning White Ensemble for the Occasion
Kate looked polished and graceful in an all-white outfit, choosing a comfortable yet sophisticated £399 Jamie dress from Polo Ralph Lauren. The figure-skimming dress, rendered in a soft gradient cream hue, is currently on sale online for £199. She accessorised with a yellow silk scarf and a garland of pearls and roses, a traditional symbol of respect in Indian culture, which was presented to her upon arrival at a community centre.
Her outfit was completed with a bespoke coat from Chris Kerr, along with £650 suede heels from her favourite brand Gianvito Rossi and a £395 matching clutch bag from Emmy London. Adding a Bollywood-inspired touch, she wore Sézane's Dina earrings in gold, featuring blue gemstones hanging from tassels, also on sale for £100, down from £200.
Embracing Indian Culture and Cuisine
During the visit, the Princess revealed her fondness for Indian food, declaring that she loves 'coriander and green chilli' and is 'ok with spice' as she sampled an array of savoury treats. A group of Bollywood dancers performed a routine for her, during which she was handed a rose to hold. Kate told them that her three children would 'love' their dance moves.
Later, she joined in with traditional dancing and made an offering of milk during her first visit to a Hindu temple. Barefoot for the temple visit, Kate was invited to take part in a ladies' dance during a religious ceremony, responding with, 'Oh, go on then'.
Meeting Community Leaders and Artists
Upon arrival at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Kate was introduced to Aakash Odedra, an award-winning choreographer and Bollywood dancer who uses the centre to host community dance sessions. Odedra, who founded the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester in 2011 with a mission to create 'a happier and healthier society through dance and the arts', adorned the princess with a garland of pearls and roses, saying he had made it specially for her because there was 'no better way to welcome a guest than to garnish their soul with flowers'.
Born in Birmingham and trained in Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance styles, Odedra is a student of renowned Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar. Last year, his dance troupe joined forces with Move Against Cancer to offer Bollywood movement lessons to those recovering from cancer.
Mesmerising Performances and Emotional Moments
After watching her first Bollywood performance, the princess was shown into a candle-lit ballroom where Odedra performed his latest work, 'Songs of the Bulbul', an interpretation of an ancient Sufi story about a captured songbird. She appeared mesmerised as red circles of confetti dropped from the ceiling during a solo dance, accompanied by a live orchestra from Manchester Camerata playing music by composer Rushil Ranjan.
At the end, Kate seemed hesitant to clap before anyone else, until someone joked 'you can clap now', which made her laugh. 'That was so moving. Extraordinary,' she said, thanking the orchestra with, 'Thank you. That was really fantastic.'
Warm Crowds and Local Visits
By the time she left the community centre, crowds had gathered outside, surging forward to greet her with hugs and requests for selfies. 'Thank you for coming to see me,' she said. As she walked round the corner to the Golden Mile, vans honked their horns and drivers waved as they caught sight of the princess on the busy road.
Still wearing the garland, Kate visited Ladlees, a family sari shop, where she admired the embroidery of the fabric and asked whether the skills had been passed down through the family. She noted that it was nice to return to the city under 'happier circumstances', her last visit being in 2018 with Prince William to pay tribute to victims of a helicopter crash.
Crowds lined the street as Kate crossed the road to Bobby's restaurant, a family business named after a famous 1973 Bollywood film, opened in 1976 by Dharmesh Lakhani's parents after they moved to the UK from Uganda.
The visit marked a gradual return to royal duties for Kate, who last year announced she was in remission from cancer following a diagnosis in early 2024 and a course of chemotherapy. Her engagement in Leicester showcased her commitment to community and cultural celebrations, blending personal style with heartfelt participation.
