Leicester’s famed Golden Mile, long regarded as the beating heart of Britain’s Hindu diaspora, witnessed an extraordinary moment as Catherine, Princess of Wales stepped into its vibrant streets, bringing with her not only royal attention but a powerful affirmation of the place Hindu communities hold in modern Britain.
The solo engagement highlighted the city’s vibrant South Asian population and focused on cultural exchange, community engagement and the arts.
A key stop on the visit was the Aakash Odedra Company, founded by internationally acclaimed dancer Aakash Odedra. The Princess watched a performance by the company and spoke with dancers about the physical demands and storytelling power of South Asian dance. She praised the performance and remarked that her children would enjoy watching such energetic routines.
The day also included a visit to the Shreeji Dham Haveli Hindu Temple, where the Princess engaged with worshippers and learned about Hindu traditions. Following temple customs, she removed her shoes, received a traditional garland and took part in rituals including an offering of milk to Lord Krishna. In a widely shared moment, she joined women in performing the traditional Gujarati garba dance, highlighting her willingness to participate directly in the community’s cultural practices.
Royal watchers were quick to notice a poignant parallel. The moment recalled Diana, Princess of Wales’s 1997 visit to the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, where she warmly engaged with the local Hindu community. On that occasion too, Diana wore a cream outfit and was adorned with a rose and pearl garland—details that made the similarities between the two visits all the more striking.
During her visit, the Princess also walked along Leicester’s famous Golden Mile, known for its concentration of Indian-owned businesses. She visited a sari boutique, Ladlee and sampled Indian food and sweets at Bobby’s, praising the resilience of long-standing family businesses.
The visit was widely seen as a celebration of Britain’s multicultural identity and for community leaders and residents alike, the visit felt historic. For many British Hindus, the significance of the moment lies not only in who visited, but in what the visit represented.
Recognition. Respect. And the reassurance that their culture, faith and traditions are an integral part of the British story.
The dance that drew a Princess to Leicester
The Princess began her visit with performance by internationally acclaimed dancer Aakash Odedra, whose artistic storytelling has brought Indian classical dance to global audiences. The engagement with Odedra formed the centrepiece of the Princess’s trip to Leicester, with the rest of the visit planned around it.
The Princess had long expressed an interest in Odedra’s critically acclaimed 2024 production Songs of the Bulbul, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival and has since received widespread praise.
While schedules had previously prevented her from attending the full performance, the Princess travelled to Leicester to watch a specially presented excerpt and to speak in depth with the artist about the work.
“It was an honour to host and perform for the Princess of Wales,” Odedra said. “She is very fond of the arts and had wanted to see ‘Songs of the Bulbul’”
The performance presented during the visit featured music composed by Rushil Ranjan and performed live by vocalist Abi Sampa, whose powerful voice helped create what Odedra described as a “spiritually charged atmosphere.”
More than two dozen musicians performed during the event, including members of the Manchester Camerata and London Voices, creating an immersive setting for the performance.
Reflecting on the encounter, Odedra described the experience as both surreal and grounding. “Her Royal Highness was extremely gracious and curious about the work,” he said. “She asked many questions about the costumes, the intention behind the choreography and the deeper meaning of Songs of the Bulbul. It was a very thoughtful conversation.”
For Odedra, whose roots lie in Leicester’s vibrant Indian community, the visit carried personal as well as artistic significance. “I’m a simple person at heart,” he said. “For me, it’s important that any guest feels welcomed. My mother used to say that welcoming guests into your home is like welcoming God. During the royal visit, I heard her words very clearly in my mind.”
Welcoming the royalty, he placed a handmade garland adorned with red roses and pearls around her neck.
Hosting the Princess in Belgrave, the cultural heart of Leicester’s Golden Mile, was particularly meaningful. “The biggest honour for us as a company was to host her here in Belgrave, in the centre of our community,” he said. “When I performed, it felt very emotional. I was standing right in front of her, eye to eye. It almost felt like an angel was watching me.”
Beyond the personal moment, the dancer believes the visit carries wider significance for artists from South Asian backgrounds working in Britain. “I represent my community and people who share similar cultural backgrounds,” Odedra said. “I’m incredibly proud of Leicester and Belgrave. There is a resilience and spirit here that flows directly into my dance.”
The royal visit, he believes, has shone a much-deserved spotlight on the area. On the day of the visit, Odedra said the entire Golden Mile seemed to come alive.
“She loved the colours and the craftsmanship”
Along the Golden Mile, the Princess of Wales visited well-known sari boutique Ladlee, where generations of families have chosen garments for weddings, festivals and milestones
On this occasion, however, the boutique welcomed a guest unlike any other. According to Neel Thakrar, son of the owners Mahesh and Kiran Thakrar, the royal visit was an unforgettable experience.
Thakrar described the Princess’s visit as warm, curious and far more personal than they had expected.
“When high-profile people visit sometimes it can feel like they’re just doing it because they have to,” he explained. “But when she came, it was really refreshing. She genuinely cared about the business and its heritage—how it was founded and how my parents and grandparents were involved in the trade.”
Inside the boutique, racks of brightly coloured saris, intricate embroidery and richly textured fabrics created a dazzling backdrop. A special display had been arranged for the Princess, featuring a selection of traditional garments including saris, lehengas and suits.
“She loved the colours and the craftsmanship,” Thakrar said. “We were able to explain what each garment represents—how a sari might be worn at a wedding, while a lehenga might be worn for celebrations like a sangeet or reception.”
The Princess was particularly fascinated by the artistry behind the garments and asked detailed questions about how they are made.
“She wanted to know where the fabrics came from, whether they were all made in one place or across different regions of India,” Thakrar said. “She showed a real interest in the skilled craftsmanship involved.”
The visit lasted around 20 to 25 minutes, but for the family it felt as though time passed in an instant.
Beyond the discussion of fabrics and tradition, it was the Princess’s warmth and humility that left the strongest impression.
“What stood out the most was her humbleness,” Thakrar said. “She paid attention to everything, from the materials to the family story behind the shop.”
In a moment that delighted the family, the Princess also spent time with Thakrar’s seven-month-old daughter, playing with her for several minutes. “That was really special,” he said.
For the Thakrar family, the visit represented far more than a royal appearance, it was the recognition of decades of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. “It was an incredibly special moment,” Thakrar said. “It makes you realise what all that hard work has been for. To have Her Royal Highness visit our store—it was simply amazing.”
“I can take the heat”
Visiting Bobby's, a family-run Indian restaurant that has operated on the street for around 50 years, Her Royal Highness congratulated Dharmesh and Enna Lakhani on the longevity of their business, noting it was impressive that the restaurant continued to thrive.
Ask Dharmesh Lakhani, and he calls the Princess’ visit as a “grace of God and blessings of our elders”.
When he officially found out two days prior to her visit, that the Princess was visiting, it was an “Oh my God! I need to sit down” moment. “Just the thought that she was coming to our house, which is our business, to have a cup of tea with us was an overwhelming one. I don’t know of anybody that’s ever happened to before. How can you even imagine that royalty will come to your place and sit with you for a cup of tea?”, he said.
Dharmesh also recalls what he later discovered was the recce process prior to the visit, where a a small group came to the restaurant. “Hospitality is a big part of who we are and so we offered them tea, pakoras, and conversation—it’s simply part of our South Asian culture.”
“Only later did I realise those visitors were from Kensington Palace. I remember joking with them, saying, “Next time, bring a few more guests.” They smiled and said they might do exactly that. Little did I know they were referring to the most remarkable guest we would ever receive.”
While Dharmesh is very elated about interacting with the Princess up close and personal, he believes this moment was not just about him; “it was a reflection of the wider Hindu community in Leicester. It was a wonderful day for the community.
“People say it’s a “dream come true,” but it’s not even that, because you don’t really dream of something like this. It feels too impossible.”
Princess Catherine ate handvo, had masala chai and coconut barfi at the establishment and really liked the green chutney, that had been upgraded with some extra kick. “When she took a generous spoonful and placed it on the handvo, I remember thinking, “Oh my God, she’s going to find this very hot.” But she ate it quite easily, which was quite funny and surprising”, Dharmesh recalls.
She even joked, “I can take the heat.”
Dharmendra further recalls, “What stood out most, though, was how warm and gracious she was. She asked about our family, our faith, and how things were going for us. She also spent time speaking with some of my colleagues and staff, asking about them and their lives. It was genuinely very kind of her.
“She greeted my mother-in-law, my aunts and my siblings and she took the time to speak with each of them. She made sure everyone felt included.
“There was a lovely moment with my mother-in-law and an aunt of mine. Gave her blessings by placing their hands gently on the side of her head. The Princess paused and asked, “What was that?” and when my cousin explained, she seemed genuinely touched and happy to receive those blessings.”
The family gifted her a cookbook with Dharmesh’s late mother’s recipes. The recipe for the chutney is in the book. They also packed some mithai for her children.
A royal moment at the Mandir
One of the most symbolic moments unfolded at Shreeji Dham Haveli, Leicester LE4 7SP, a Hindu temple that has long served as a spiritual and cultural anchor for the community.
The visit of marked a historic and proud moment for the local Hindu community, with Pravin Majithia, a trustee of the temple describing the occasion as one that has placed the temple “on the map worldwide.”
The atmosphere at the temple on the day of the visit was one of excitement and pride. The Princess stepped inside the temple with quiet respect, removing her shoes in accordance with temple tradition. “It was a privilege to receive her,” Pravin said. “Everyone present was in high spirits and very happy to welcome her, see her and speak with her.”
During the visit, the Princess took time to engage with various aspects of the temple and its activities. She visited the canteen and kitchen area and tried some food prepared there, but the highlight for many came when she joined members of the community in a traditional garba dance.
“The most memorable moment for us was when she joined the ladies for garba,” Pravin recalled. She warmly greeted and interacted with those present and the gesture was widely appreciated by all.
For the wider Hindu community, the visit carried deeper symbolic importance. Temple leaders believe it highlights the growing recognition of South Asian communities and their contributions to British society.
Golden Mile in the spotlight
For many within Leicester’s South Asian community, the recent visit of Catherine, Princess of Wales was more than a royal engagement, it was a moment of recognition for generations of families who have shaped the area’s cultural and commercial identity.
Nisha Popat, chair of the Belgrave Business Association, believes the visit carried deep significance for the community.
“I think the visit was very important,” Popat said. “Leicester is known for its multicultural celebrations and is one of the most vibrant centres of South Asian culture and business in the UK. The Golden Mile represents that spirit.”
According to Popat, the Princess’s visit brought welcome recognition to the families and entrepreneurs who have spent decades building the area’s reputation. “Moments like this mean a great deal to the many families and businesses who have helped shape the cultural life of Leicester,” she said. “It’s not just about one business or one family—it’s about generations of families who have created this vibrant community.”
“It was also so lovely to have her at Bobby’s,” Popat, who is a member of the family behind the Bobby's Restaurant, said. “It was a proud moment for everyone.”
Beyond the symbolism, Popat believes the visit could also have tangible benefits for local businesses by drawing new attention to the Golden Mile as a destination. “I’ve had people sending me articles from all over the world saying, ‘She was on the Golden Mile, she was on Belgrave Road,’” she said.
The global coverage, she hopes, will encourage both visitors and locals to rediscover the area’s unique mix of shops, restaurants and cultural spaces.
“Her visiting Bobby’s, the sari shop and the mandir has helped people recognise that the Golden Mile is an important place to shop and visit,” she said. “It shows the incredible variety of businesses here.”
For Popat, the royal visit also provided a timely boost for a community that has played a significant role in shaping Leicester’s economic and cultural landscape. “Communities sometimes need that moment of encouragement,” she said. “Her coming here really did shine a spotlight on the Golden Mile.”
“It’s made people see how special the Golden Mile really is,” Popat said. “And hopefully it will keep it firmly in the spotlight.”
