Applause for cortege as Richard III's remains visit Sutton Cheney

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The crowds gather to honour Richard III in Sutton Cheney Credit: ITV News Central

By Matt Ratcliffe

The third stop for Richard III's procession through Leicestershire was at a sunny Sutton Cheney.

It is the place where the king was reported to have spent the night before heading off to the Battle of Bosworth Field. The Church of St James is where he is said to have attended his final mass in 1485.

A plaque inside the church marking its connection to the king Credit: ITV News Central

Hundreds gathered in the centre of the small village awaiting the hearse bringing the last Plantagenet king for a small service at 1.55pm - although it was announced the procession was running slightly late.

What was an excited atmosphere became quiet as seven men-at-arms led the procession into the village.

The men from the Beaufort Companye had been invited to be part of the service. Their leader on the day said they all often took part in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Bosworth at the nearby Heritage Centre, but this was something a little bit special.

Seven men-at-arms march into Sutton Cheney ahead of the hearse Credit: ITV News Central

Seconds later, the hearse carrying Richard III's wooden coffin drove up the street, stopping in front of the large crowd that had gathered. Many began to applaud the cortege as it came to a halt at the end of the path to the church.

The cortege makes its way into the village Credit: ITV News Central

A number of white roses were thrown as a mark of respect for Richard as his mortal remains revisited the place many say he spent his final night as king.

Hundreds look on in awe as the remains of Richard III stop in Sutton Cheney Credit: ITV News Central

Reverend Julia Hargreaves then read a small service, ending with The Lord's Prayer, before members of the community presented a white rose wreath which had come from a memorial stone to Richard III inside the church.

The community present the wreath to be placed onto the coffin Credit: ITV News Central

It was placed on top of the coffin, as the Burbage Congregational Church recorder group played music written especially for the day.

After the ten-minute service, the hearse turned around to head off to its next stop at the Bosworth Heritage Centre - with another round of applause as it departed.

The video below shows a few of the key moments from the cortege's visit to Sutton Cheney, as well as the reaction of some of those who were there to see it.