But since early February, when Leicester University researchers announced that they had found the skeleton of King Richard III during an archaeological dig, Leicester has been besieged with visitors hoping to get a glimpse of the royal bones.

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Subsequent DNA testing confirmed that the skeleton was that of the missing king.

BBC: The UK's newest royal destination

Assuming that the skeleton really is that of the king as the DNA experts at Leicester contend, having connected him to a Canadian carpenter named Michael Ibsen, who is directly descended from King Richard's mother its curvature of the spine implies that Shakespeare only slightly exaggerated by making him hunchbacked.

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Reading East MP Rob Wilson said last year an attempt should be made to find and unearth the king's remains after Richard III's skeleton was discovered in Leicester.

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The skeleton was found last August and confirmed as that of the 15th Century king in February.

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Canon Chancellor David Monteith said it was important to remember that as well as being the subject of important historical and scientific research, the skeleton also represented "the mortal remains of a person, an annointed Christian king, " and as such should be treated with dignity.

CNN: February 4, 2013 -- Updated 2225 GMT (0625 HKT)

In September, the university confirmed there was "strong evidence" a skeleton found beneath a council car park in the Greyfriars area of Leicester was the lost king.

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British scientists announced Monday they are convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" that a skeleton found during an archaeological dig in Leicester, central England, last August is that of the former king, who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

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