Ahead of the engagement Kensington Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses knew the club’s chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and wanted to visit the city to recognise the warmth and compassion that the people of Leicester and fans of Leicester City Football Club have shown in reaction to the accident." In a statement issued after the crash in his capacity as president of the Football Association, William described Mr Srivaddhanaprabha as "a businessman of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes. He made such a big contribution to football, not least through Leicester City's magical 2016 season that captured the imagination of the world. He will be missed by all fans of the sport and everyone lucky enough to have known him."
The Duchess laid a floral tribute.
The card read: "To Vichai and all those who died in this terrible tragedy, you will be dearly missed. Our sincere condolences to the city of Leicester."
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was a Thai billionaire businessman and the founder, owner and chairman of King Power Duty Free. He was also the owner of Premier League football club Leicester City from 2010. He was awarded an honorary doctorate as a Doctor of Laws by the University of Leicester in 2016. Throughout his time in Leciester, he was described as a man "whose acts of generosity knew no limits". The Mirror reports: "Supporters were treated to free breakfasts, food, scarves, clappers, flags, free away travel and even free beer. he did anything he could to help enhance their experience. He celebrated his 60th birthday this year and marked it by giving away 60 free season tickets to dedicated fans and throwing a party for young hospital patients at Leicester Royal Infirmary, whom he is also believed to have donated £1m to - that on top of another £1m donation to Leicester University’s medical department and a £2m injection towards a new children’s hospital. Srivaddhanaprabha quite simply changed Leicester for the better."
On Saturday, 27 October, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha and four others tragically lost their lives when their helicopter came down outside the King Power Stadium after a match against West Ham United.
Tributes poured in from all over the world.
William and Kate met with Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's son Aiyawatt.
Speaking about his father, Aiyawatt (known as "Top") said: "I’m extremely proud to have such an extraordinary father. From him, I have received a very big mission and legacy to pass on and I intend to do just that. I know that I will receive the support I need to make this happen and I am so grateful for all your messages and kind words. For a long time, my father taught me to be strong and to take care of my family. He loved his family. He made Leicester City into a family. And nothing would make him prouder than to see how the Leicester City family that he built is supporting each other through a time of such sadness."
The Duke and Duchess met with a group of players and members of the club’s management team.
The Duke and Duchess chatting with locals.
William and Kate met volunteers and club supporters who helped to relocate the thousands of tributes which were left outside the front of the stadium to the site.
The Mail reports:
A 25 minute video from The Sun.
Afterwards, William and Kate visited King Power Stadium itself where they met with representatives from local charities who were supported by Mr. Srivaddhanaprabha. William and Kate heard how his support enabled the charities to better the lives of people in the wider Leicester community.
An overview.
Kate hugged Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's daughter Aroonroong.
The couple were given gifts for George, Charlotte and Louis.
The Leicester City Football Club Foxes Foundation has been renamed The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation in honour of the Club’s Chairman. Since its formation in 2011, the Foundation has raised almost £2M for local charities, helping fund a renovation of Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Outpatient Ward and life-saving equipment desperately needed by the Children’s Intensive Care Unit. Under its new name, The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation will continue to build on that life-changing work in a way that reflects the generosity, care and love of a man who made over £4M in personal donations to the city’s universities, hospitals and charities in recent years. An online auction held earlier this month raised over £20,000 for the Foundation.
The Mail reports:
Kev Butler, 51, said: 'We came to pay our respects to the best person that could happen to our city and our club. 'I've been a supporter since 1961. It's my club and for the last five years the dream has come true.'
He and former colleague Paul Groves, 67, showed the Duchess their commemorative black and white scarves, which read Mr Chairman. He said: 'She was just sharing the compassion with everyone. She seemed to feel it, she looked quite emotional, she felt what we were feeling.'
Millie Carter, 17, who was with her mother Anne Marie, said of the Duchess: 'She's very caring. She genuinely wanted to talk to us. The fact that they took the time out to visit us, they didn't have to talk to us at all. It was a fantastic surprise.'
A 25 minute video from The Sun.
Afterwards, William and Kate visited King Power Stadium itself where they met with representatives from local charities who were supported by Mr. Srivaddhanaprabha. William and Kate heard how his support enabled the charities to better the lives of people in the wider Leicester community.
An overview.
Kate hugged Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's daughter Aroonroong.
The couple were given gifts for George, Charlotte and Louis.
The Leicester City Football Club Foxes Foundation has been renamed The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation in honour of the Club’s Chairman. Since its formation in 2011, the Foundation has raised almost £2M for local charities, helping fund a renovation of Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Children’s Outpatient Ward and life-saving equipment desperately needed by the Children’s Intensive Care Unit. Under its new name, The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation will continue to build on that life-changing work in a way that reflects the generosity, care and love of a man who made over £4M in personal donations to the city’s universities, hospitals and charities in recent years. An online auction held earlier this month raised over £20,000 for the Foundation.
William and Kate's next port of call was the University of Leicester. The Duchess was greeted with kisses by twin brothers Sai and Taran Gokani.
The Mail Online reports: "As the duchess met the twins, who spent months in hospital after they were born prematurely, she asked them: 'What do you boys like doing? Do you like playing football?' The answer gave her a taste of what was to come. 'I like headbutting,' said Sai, who with his brother promptly proceeded to give the duchess a demonstration.'They are very excited to see you!' said their mother Kal."
They heard about some of the educational programmes that Leicester City Football Club has helped to support. This includes a £1m donation made by Mr. Srivaddhanaprabha in May 2018, which will be used to help fund medical research and training at the University through the creation of a Professorship in Child Health.
William delivered a poignant speech.
The text:
'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. We knew Vichai as a man who cared deeply about his family and also his community. He of course was a man of wealth, but that wealth did not leave him disconnected from those around him. He believed in giving back. 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.
In 2016, this football club did something that should have been impossible. Against odds that are now the stuff of legend, you took on the Goliaths and superstars of the world's most famous football league. In powering past them all to win the title, you wrote the best underdog story in the history of modern sport. And when the man that led this club to victory died so tragically, the people of this city revealed with their outpouring of admiration, that they too shared much of the character that was so central to who Vichai was. In a time when our football clubs have become huge global enterprises, you came out to thank Vichai for making the fans the true owners of this club. And you thanked him for investing the rewards of success in the future of Leicester City.
You showed that community mattered to him and to you all. You showed us that the losses experienced by other families need to be felt keenly by our own. You were paying tribute to Vichai, Kaveporn, Nusara, Izabela, and a man I had the privilege to fly with in the past, Eric Swaffer. But you were also paying tribute to the fact that sport - when played with passion, but also with humility and respect - can bring us all together.
Thank you for the example you have provided us. And thank you for welcoming us here today.'
They met locals during a walkabout in the university's Centenary Square.
Kate noted how "cold and wintry the weather has become whilst chatting with well-wishers.
The Duchess was asked about Christmas with the children and the news Baby Sussex is on the way.
Kate talking about Meghan and her new baby! Says she's happy for Meghan and to have a cousin for George,charlotte and Louis is special! So cute 😩💗 pic.twitter.com/sSOFH5EoHe— aya (@androyaIty) November 28, 2018
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"When asked if she was excited about the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan's baby, Kate replied: "Yeah, absolutely," before excitedly continuing: "It's such a special time to have little kiddies. And now a cousin for George, Charlotte and Louis as well! It's really, really special."
She then talked about her three children and how much they're looking forward to Christmas, adding: "They're doing well, thank you. They're getting excited for Christmas time, because they've started all their Christmas songs and the Christmas trees are going up. And Louis's getting bigger, I can't believe he's like seven months, he's getting to be a big boy."
Prince William greets the crowds.
William and Kate departing.
The Duchess selected her grey tweed Catherine Walker coatdress with black trim for the sombre visit.
Readers will recall we first saw Kate wear the coat for Sunday service with the Queen at Crathie Kirk in August.
The piece is described as: "Encapsulating timeless vintage-inspired styling, our Midi Mayfair Bag is hand-crafted from the finest deep shine black croc print Italian calf leather. Both versatile and luxurious, the structured boxy design features three inner compartments secured with our enduring shield lock clasp. What's more, sumptuous black leather complements any outfit, and makes an exquisite transitional piece from day to night. The flawless finish of the leather's rich, glassy shine and the shimmering grosgrain lining give this accessory a truly elegant feel."
Kate wore her Tod's black suede pumps.
The Duchess accessorised with her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs. The £4,360 pair are described as "set with seven pearls set with diamonds (0.3cts). Inspired by the clusters of young flower stalks of the cauliflower (cavolfiore) in the market. From the Journey to Sicily".
The Duchess wore her J Crew black velvet bow. It remains in stock for $22.50.
A closer look.
And completed the look with her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.
