We have been glued to the Channel 4 broadcasts live from Leicester Cathedral today for the re-burial of King Richard 111. It was a lovely service, and although opinion is divided on whether he was a good King or bad, I felt it awarded him dignity and respect. The interviews and research before and after the programme were excellent, we learnt more about the Wars of the Roses and King Richard than we ever did in boring history lessons at school 50+ years ago.
I am proud to be from Leicestershire and I felt it put the city of Leicester well and truly on the map. The discovery of the body in 2012 through to today's final resting place has been an amazing story. Anyone else been watching the events unfold all week?
Yes Jon Snow could have been better - he called actor Robert Lindsay who was in the studio - Robert "Lacey" not once but twice - his face was a picture, he rolled his eyes heavenward!
All this expense to bury the rotting bones of a man who killed his own brother, his nephews and summarily executed peers of the realm during his short reign.
According to Leicester Cathedral's official site, most of the funds have been raised through an appeal, which includes trusts and private individual donors. I think the total cost is £2.5m but they are still some short, although donations from all visiting to view the coffin this week has not been added in yet.