The Duke & Duchess Of Cambridge Pay A Visit To King Power Stadium
In recognition of the warmth and compassion shown by the Leicester public following the helicopter accident at King Power Stadium, Their Royal Highnesses first visited the tribute area which has since become a place of dignified remembrance for those who passed away.
It was there where Their Royal Highnesses – who were personally acquainted with Khun Vichai – met with the Club’s management and playing squad, whose solidarity in difficult circumstances reinforced the unbreakable bond between Leicester City and its supporters.
In the days leading up to Leicester City’s first home fixture following the accident, staff and volunteers came together to carefully relocate the thousands of shirts, scarves, drawings and cards to build a beautifully decorous area for supporters to reflect and remember the victims.
After working in wintery conditions to ensure a legacy for those generous and thoughtful tributes, the volunteers were afforded the opportunity to meet Their Royal Highnesses, who expressed their gratitude for their contributions, which have provided comfort for so many.
Speaking at King Power Stadium, The Duke of Cambridge, President of The Football Association, addressed the large gathering, saying: "Catherine and I wanted to visit Leicester to pay tribute to a man 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."
Khun Vichai, the Club’s Chairman since 2011, donated £4M in personal donations to help local charities improve the lives of people in the region of Leicestershire.
As a result, the beneficiaries of Khun Vichai’s kindness – who work ceaselessly in the community to bring about positive change – were the next to meet Their Royal Highnesses.
Following their visit to Filbert Way, where a team inspired by Khun Vichai’s ambition became only the sixth side to win the Premier League in 2016, The Duke and Duchess travelled to the University of Leicester – where our former Chairman’s everlasting impact is felt profoundly.
In 2016, Khun Vichai’s successful leadership, admirable business acumen and his key role in the transformation of Leicester City into much-acclaimed Premier League champions was honoured with the award of an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University.
But it was his £1M donation in May 2018 – presently being used to fund medical research and training through the creation of a Professorship in Child Health – which will continue his legacy in the local community for generations to come by prolonging and improving lives.
Accompanied by the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor, Paul Boyle CBE, their Royal Highnesses learned about the educational programmes that the Club continues to support.
The day as whole, meanwhile, served as another opportunity for the Club’s staff and supporters to come together as one in tribute to all five people who passed away last month.