William and Kate pay tribute to victims of helicopter tragedy

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have paid tribute to the five people killed in a helicopter crash at Leicester City’s ground, leaving a floral memento in their memory.

William and Kate knew the club’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died with four others when the aircraft came down in October.

The couple were met yesterday by members of the owner’s family – his son Aiyawatt, wife Aimon and daughter Aroonroong – who welcomed them to a tribute site covered in a sea of flowers.

William clasped Aiyawatt’s hand with both of his and spoke intently to him before introducing Kate.

The bouquets, many with messages of support, had been left outside the club’s King Power Stadium.

They were later moved to a nearby open space that featured a large portrait of the owner with the words “The Boss” below it.

Football scarves from the club and other teams across the country had been hung along crash barriers paying tribute to the five deceased.

Senior figures from Leicester City were also at the event, including star striker and England forward Jamie Vardy, club captain Wes Morgan and manager Claude Puel.

Kate left a bouquet at the site as William, president of the Football Association and a keen fan of the game, stood beside her.

A condolence card with the flowers, signed by the couple, read: “To Vichai and all those who died in this terrible tragedy, you will be dearly missed. Our sincere condolences to the city of Leicester.”

The other four victims were Leicester City employees Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, the pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a professional helicopter pilot.

Picture: PA. The Duchess of Cambridge chats with people at King Power Stadium who were there to pay respects to the victims of the crash.