King Richard III remains to be buried in Leicester

The lawyer who spearheaded Richard III's descendants' legal challenge has described the High Court decision as "highly regrettable".

Matthew Howarth, partner at Yorkshire law firm Gordons, said his clients were now considering appealing against the ruling.

Mr Howarth said: "We obviously respect and accept today's verdict, and are grateful to have had the opportunity to raise this matter before the courts, but are naturally disappointed at the decision, which we regard as highly regrettable."

Work has begun on the King Richard III cathedral gardens in Leicester. The centre is located on the site where the remains of the former Plantagenet King were found buried in a grave in September 2012.

The centre is due to open later this Summer.

The High Court has ruled that the University of Leicester does have the rights to bury King Richard III's remain in the city's cathedral.

READ: King Richard III remains to be buried in Leicester

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has blasted Plantagenet Alliance, the group who fought to have Richard III buried in York, for wasting taxpayers money.

He said he was pleased with the High Court's decision to rebury the King's remains in Leicester, where they were found.

He added: "I am frustrated and angry that the Plantagenet Alliance - a group with tenuous claims to being relatives of Richard III - have taken up so much time and public money."

The Dean of Leicester, The Very Reverend David Monteith, said:

"This is a day to open the champagne that's been sat in my fridge. Let's just rejoice that the judgement has come."

READ: King Richard III remains to be buried in Leicester

The University of Leicester says its work is 'undisputed' after the High Court ruled the University does have the rights to bury King Richard III's remain in the city's cathedral.

READ: King Richard III remains to be buried in Leicester

The King's remains were discovered buried under a council car park in Leicester in 2012 by archaeologists.

The Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, said:

"After the frustration of recent months it is now in the hands of the Cathedral to make proper provision for the re-interment of Richard III, and that his remains would be laid in a tomb fit for a king."

READ: King Richard III remains to be buried in Leicester

People inside Leicester Cathedral, including City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, applauded the High Court's decision giving the University of Leicester the right to bury King Richard III's remains in the city's cathedral.

The King's remains were discovered buried under a council car park in Leicester in 2012.

READ: King Richard III remains to be buried in Leicester

The High Court has ruled that the University of Leicester has the right to bury King Richard III's remains in the city's cathedral.

The King's remains were discovered buried under a council car park in Leicester in 2012.

Relatives of King Richard III won the right to bring High Court proceedings to challenge where his remains should be buried, but now a judicial review has ruled that the King's remains will be reburied in Leicester.

More reaction to follow.

This is the scene inside Leicester Cathedral where just after 10.00am this morning, the decision will be made on whether King Richard III's remains will be reinterred in the city.

Various city dignitaries, including the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Tim Stevens & City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, will give their reaction to the outcome of a judicial review, after calls from distant relatives of the last Plantagenet King for his body to be reburied in his home city of York.

The High Court is today expected to give its decision of the judicial review which contested whether the Ministry of Justice should have given the rights to the University of Leicester permitting the remains of King Richard III to be buried in the city's cathedral.

The King's remains were discovered buried under a council car park in Leicester in 2012.

Relatives of King Richard III won the right to bring High Court proceedings to challenge where his remains should be buried.