Prince WilliamandKate Middletonheaded to a city in mourning on Wednesday.
The couple visited Leicester in the English Midlands to meet those grieving the recent death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, chairman of the city’s beloved football club, who died along with four others in a helicopter crash last month.
Both William and Kate knew Srivaddhanaprabha “and wanted to visit the city to recognize the warmth and compassion that the people of Leicester and fans of Leicester City Football Club have shown in reaction to the accident,” their office said in a statement.
Neil P. Mockford/Getty
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Neil P. Mockford/Getty
The couple then bowed their heads in a moment of silence.
They were then introduced to some of the players — Jamie Vardy, Wes Morgan, Kasper Schmeichal, Andy King, Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell — and Claude Puel, the team manager. William looked solemn as he chatted to each player. The prince also shared a warm moment with Aiyawatt, putting a hand on his shoulder and telling the players, “You’re in very good hands.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Ray Tang/LNP/REX/Shutterstock
In a moving speech at the event, William said: “Catherine and I wanted to visit Leicester to pay tribute to a man that we knew, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and those who died alongside him in October.”
“Catherine and I also wanted to come to Leicester because of what the people of this city, and fans of this club, have shown us all over the last few weeks.
At the time ofthe tragic crash, William, who is president of the Football Association, the governing body of the sport in England, issued a statement expressing his sadness at the news. They also met with a group of the club’s players and volunteers and club supporters who have helped relocate the thousands of tributes that were left outside the club’s King Power Stadium.
After their first stop, William and Kate were set to visit the University of Leicester to hear about some of the educational programs that Leicester City Football Club has supported — including a $1.25 million donation from Srivaddhanaprabha to fund medical research and training. They were also scheduled to meet the university’s centenary scholars, a program created in tandem with the 100th anniversary of a fund established as a living memorial to those who fought and made sacrifices in WWI.
source: people.com
