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The Princess of Wales immersed herself in the vibrant culture of Leicester’s ‘Golden Mile,’ where she experienced Indian dance, savored traditional chai, and engaged with local family-owned enterprises. Her visit aimed to shine a light on the rich tapestry of Britain’s Indian community.
During her trip to the Midlands, Kate encountered individuals celebrating Holi, the lively festival that embodies the themes of color, love, and the arrival of spring. Her presence in Leicester underscored the city’s diverse cultural heritage and creative spirit.
Kate’s journey began at the Aakash Odedra Company, a dynamic organization that enriches the lives of over 1,000 participants weekly through a variety of community dance initiatives.
Established in 2011 by the acclaimed choreographer and dancer Aakash Odedra, this Leicester-based company aspires to foster a more joyful and healthier community through the power of dance and the arts.
In a recent collaboration, the dance company partnered with the charity Move Against Cancer to offer Bollywood dance classes, providing support and inspiration to individuals on their path to recovery.
The Princess last year announced that she was in remission from cancer following a diagnosis in early 2024.
Following a course of chemotherapy, the 44-year-old has made a gradual return to royal duties.
Catherine was dressed today in a bespoke Chris Kerr tailored white midi coat and a Polo Ralph Lauren white ‘Jamie’ dress.
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits the Aakash Odedra Company where she meets dancers today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester to celebrate British Indian people in the city today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales visits the Aakash Odedra Company where she meets dancers today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester to celebrate British Indian people in the city today
The Princess of Wales at The Aakash Odedra Company, as she visits Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester to celebrate British Indian people in the city today
The Princess of Wales visits the Aakash Odedra Company where she meets dancers today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales clutches a bag as she visits the Aakash Odedra Company today
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales visits Leicester today on a trip highlighting local British Indian people
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets people during her royal away day to Leicester this afternoon
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales during her visit today to the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester today
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
The Princess of Wales in Leicester today to meet British Indians one day after the Holi festival
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Aakash Odedra Company in Leicester this morning
Her outfit also featured Sézane’s Dina earrings in gold with blue gemstones hanging from the tassels, and an Emmy London ‘Natasha’ brown clutch bag.
On her solo visit to Leicester today, Kate visited a community centre where she was shown some Bollywood dancing and given a separate solo performance by Birmingham-born Odedra.
He is trained in Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance styles and lived in India where he became a student of Shiamak Davar, a renowned Bollywood choreographer.
Odedra, who continues to perform across the world, showed the princess a rehearsal of his latest work, ‘Songs of the Bulbul’.
This is an interpretation of an ancient Sufi story about a captured songbird, or bulbul, which sings an exquisite tune before perishing from despair.
The show was created with choreographer Rani Khanam and composer Ranjan, the associate artist of the Royal Albert Hall.
Odedra combines Ranjan’s new score, played by a live orchestra from Manchester Camerata, and the voice of Abi Sampa in a show that features music, dance and the poetry traditions of Sufism.
Afterwards, Kate took a five-minute walk down to local Sari shop Ladlees on the Golden Mile on the city’s Belgrave Road, one of the streets in the UK with the highest concentration of shops and restaurants offering Indian jewellery, fashion and sweets.
She then crossed the road to try some chai in Bobby’s restaurant, a family-run business named after a 1973 Bollywood film.