Watch: Kate Middleton joins garba dance at Hindu temple during Leicester visit marking Holi celebrations

During a visit focused on celebrating Britain’s Indian community, the Catherine, Princess of Wales surprised worshippers by joining a traditional garba dance at a Hindu temple in Leicester, stepping into the circle of women and participating in the rhythmic folk dance associated with Indian celebrations.

The Princess of Wales, 44, visited the city on March 5 as part of engagements marking the culture and heritage of Leicester’s British Indian community following the Hindu festival of Holi. According to People magazine and The Daily Mail, Catherine stopped at Shreeji Dham Haveli, a Hindu temple serving the local Vaishnav community, where she learned about the temple’s Holi celebrations and its role in bringing people together.




When women at the temple began a traditional dance during a religious ceremony, the princess accepted an invitation to join them.

“Oh, go on then,” she said before stepping into the circle barefoot and participating in the dance, respecting temple customs by removing her shoes.

A temple official later described the moment as deeply meaningful for the community.



“It was absolutely amazing,” said Mayur Kachela, a member of the temple’s executive committee who guided Catherine through the visit. “She was really acknowledging what we're doing here, and really engaged. This is part of our faith, and it was very nice that she acknowledged what we're doing,” he told People.

The temple stop came as part of a wider visit to Leicester’s Golden Mile, a vibrant district known for its South Asian businesses and cultural life. Residents lined the streets as the princess walked between shops, greeting families and speaking with business owners. Drivers honked their horns while crowds gathered to shake her hand.

“Welcome to Leicester, Ma’am,” one shopper told her outside a jeweller’s as passersby paused in surprise at seeing the royal walking through the busy street without road closures.

Earlier in the visit, Catherine stopped at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, where the community had recently celebrated Holi. There she was welcomed with a garland made of pearls and roses by dancer and choreographer Aakash Odedra, who runs community dance sessions at the centre.

A group of Bollywood dancers also performed for the princess, prompting her to talk about her own children’s love of dancing.

“You must be super fit because it's super energetic,” she said after watching the routine, according to The Daily Mail. “My children would love that; they love their dancing. Louis would love your dance routine.”