White roses thrown in tribute as King Richard III is honoured

He was the last king of the House of York, so it was fitting that crowds threw white roses on to the passing coffin of Richard III has he was laid to rest today, 530 years after he died.
Editorial imageEditorial image
Editorial image

The king’s remains, found almost miraculously under a Leicester car park, returned to Bosworth, the scene of the battle where he met his end in 1485.

In a colourful ceremony heavy with symbolism atop Ambion Hill over-looking the site of the old Leicestershire battlefield thousands gathered to honour the dead king, some in period dress and battle armour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Supporter Dr Phil Stone, chairman of the Richard III Society, told the crowd to “remember a man of integrity, who cared for subjects and had their trust”.

He urged them to look anew at the king whose “achievements in his short reign have been over-shadowed by historical myth and Shakespeare’s monster”.

Dr Stone added: “Let us remember King Richard III. The good king. The warrior king.”

After a moment of silence and reflection, a 21-gun salute thundered out bringing the smell of gunpowder to the windless field, as a banner bearing the old king’s white boar sigil hung limply from its flagstaff.

His final rest has been delayed after relatives brought a legal challenge through the courts arguing he should be reburied in York.