King Richard III sealed inside secret coffin at Leicester University

An oak coffin resting at Leicester University has been made especially for King Richard III, finally housing his bones.

The coffin contains a lead chest made by the King’s 17th great grand nephew Michael Ibsen, where his remains were placed inside.

It also contains a piece of Irish Linen made by Richard III society member, Elizabeth Nokes.

A secret ceremony took place in the council chamber located in the Fielding Johnson Building. The chamber was converted back into a chapel for the ceremony under church doctrine.

It was attended by a small number of people including representatives of the university, as well as the council and cathedral.

In a statement on its website, the Project said: “We have come a long way from the original proposal that the coffining would take place in a laboratory.

“Our information is that it will instead be conducted at a location within the University of Leicester which was itself formerly a chapel, with the presence, and the prayers, of a Catholic Chaplain.”

The coffin will be travelling through Leicestershire on March 22 before being placed in a tomb at the Leicester Cathedral on March 26.