England's last king to die in battle starts journey to his final resting place

The most remarkable funeral service in British history got under way on Sunday with the start of ceremonies to finally lay to rest the body of a King of England who died in battle more than 500 years ago.

The body of King Richard the Third was discovered in 2012 when work was being carried out at a car park in the English city of Leicester. The car park had been built over what had been an old religious priory.

His remains had remained a mystery following his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 when he became the last English monarch to die in battle.

Following the discovery of his skeletal remains he has been kept at the University of Leicester where numerous tests have been carried out.

Today a crowd gathered outside the university where the Chancellor of the University carried out the first of a number of ceremonies taking place this week as part of the re-burial program. A simple wreath of white roses - emblem of Richard's House of York - was placed on the wooden coffin by descendants of Richard III.

A special morning service was also held at the cathedral and a vigil was staged by a local re-enactment group at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Center. During the cathedral service the Dean of Leicester, The Very Rev David Monteith, who said "Richard's story speaks to us from the past but also, with conflict still present across the world, draws in the present."

The cortege carrying the coffin of King Richard III headed off for Leicester Cathedral where his body will lie in state until a grand funeral on Thursday, prior to his re-interment within the cathedral.

During the journey to the cathedral the procession passed locations linked to the King, including passing close to a farm field near to where he met his death in a battle against rival Henry Tudor. Richard's death brought to an end the Plantagenet Dynasty which had ruled England since 1154. The victor became King Henry VII, marking the start of the progressive Tudor dynasty.

In around Leicester major road closures and diversions have been put into place, with Leicester Mayor Peter Soulsby describing the events in the city as breathtaking.

Leicester Cathedral will open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with thousands of people expecting to pass the coffin as the King lies in state. The reinterment of his remains takes place on Thursday, with a special service on Friday when the remains will be placed in a tomb within the cathedral. On Saturday the cathedral will re-open to the public allowing people the chance to view the tomb of Richard III.