University ceremony for King Richard III

A brief ceremony to mark the departure of the mortal remains of King Richard III from the University campus takes place on Sunday 22 March.

Staff, students and families are invited to join media from around the world to bear witness to the historic occasion.

At 10.50am, the coffin bearing the remains of King Richard III will be brought forth from the Fielding Johnson Building and a short ceremony will take place under a marquee in front of the building.

It will include addresses from the Chancellor of the University, the Rt Hon the Lord Grocott, and from the President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Boyle.

Among the processional party will be members of the Richard III Society, descendants of King Richard’s sister, Anne, members of the University Project Team and the Chaplaincy and senior staff of the University.

Standard Bearers from the Royal British Legion will also be present and there will be a ceremony of reflection led by the University Chaplain, Revd Canon Dr Stephen Foster, as well as readings by Professor Sarah Hainsworth and Dr Turi King.

Lead Archaeologist on the University of Leicester Richard III dig, Dr Richard Buckley OBE, will accompany the cortège as it departs the University at 11.40am. As the Ministry of Justice Licence holder, the University is responsible for the mortal remains until the point that they are formally passed over to the Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester.  At a short ceremony there late on Sunday afternoon, Dr Buckley will formally pass the care of the remains to the Cathedral in readiness for reinterment on Thursday March 26.

• Visitors will be invited to stand on the lawn facing the Fielding Johnson building to witness the occasion. Parking on site is not available - anyone wishing to attend would be advised to use public transport, arriving by 10.30am.
• An image gallery from the event is available here