Prince William and Sir Alex Ferguson led mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton‘s funeral service as prominent figures from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to one of England‘s greatest-ever players.
Family, friends, fans and famous players past and present celebrated Charlton’s extraordinary life on Monday afternoon with his funeral cortege passing by Old Trafford before heading on to Manchester Cathedral for a memorial service.
Legendary United boss Ferguson was pictured arriving in windy conditions at Manchester Cathedral alongside former United chief executive David Gill.
Prince William attended the memorial service in his role as Football Association president.
A host of former United players are among 1,000 in attendance, with Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel and Andrew Cole among those at the service.
Sir Bobby Charlton’s coffin is carried into Manchester Cathedral ahead of his funeral service
Around 1,000 mourners attended the service to pay respects to the English football legend
Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral
Ferguson was pictured alongside David Gill arriving at the memorial service in Manchester
Prince William, the president of the Football Association, arrives for Charlton’s memorial
Charlton’s funeral cortege passes the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside Old Trafford on Monday afternoon en route to his memorial service
Large crowds gathered on the Old Trafford forecourt to pay their respects to the United great
The funeral cortege passed by the large banner of Charlton hanging outside Old Trafford
England manager Gareth Southgate pictured arriving at Manchester Cathedral
Manchester United great Paul Scholes arrives at Charlton’s memorial service on Monday
Nicky Butt and Roy Keane – ex-United midfielders – walk in to Manchester Cathedral
Former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel arrives for Monday afternoon’s service
Current United and England players Harry Maguire (left) and Luke Shaw arrive
Stepney described the 1966 World Cup winner as a ‘classic gentleman of football’ as he walked into the service.
The England manager Gareth Southgate is also in attendance to pay respects to the Three Lions legend.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton represented the current United squad. Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also present.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle United player Alan Kennedy was among a host of representatives from other clubs, with the Real Madrid great Emilio Butragueño also there.
Thousands of fans and well-wishers lined the route of Charlton’s funeral cortege, which passed Old Trafford just after 1.30pm before making its way to Manchester Cathedral for the 2pm service.
Supporters gathered outside Old Trafford applauded as the cortege passed by. Members of United’s under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour as the hearse drove past.
‘My memory was meeting him for the first time when I got signed [at United],’ Stepney told BBC News. ‘I knew straight away what a great guy he was, a humble guy.
‘Nothing was over his head or anything like that, it was all about playing for Manchester United. Even on international duty it was about winning and that was what Bobby Charlton was all about. A humble guy, a great family man. It never went to his head.’
Sir Bobby’s order of service is revealed with him pictured on the front and then on the rear as a young man
Bouquets on top of Charlton’s coffin in the hearse are visible as it passes Old Trafford
Fans gathered outside Old Trafford applaued as the funeral cortege passed on Monday
Floral tributes and a scarf bearing his name pictured outside of Old Trafford this afternoon
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney arrives for Charlton’s memorial service
United chief executive Richard Arnold alongside director David Gill ahead of the service
Former United player and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrives on Monday afternoon
Former United players Paddy Crerand (left) and Andrew Cole arrive to pay their respects
Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce arrives for Charlton’s memorial service
Ex-United and England star Bryan Robson arrives to pay his respects to Charlton
Beneath the statue of Charlton’s manager at United, Sir Matt Busby, a platform has been erected as thousands gather to pay respects.
An enormous poster depicting Charlton, who died on October 21 aged 86, in United colours hangs from the stadium’s exterior.
His cortege passed the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue, which depicts Charlton celebrating a goal with fellow United greats Denis Law and George Best.
A red, white and black scarf has been draped around Charlton’s neck with the statue the centre for many floral tributes left by fans in recent weeks.
The service at the cathedral was led by Canon Nigel Ashworth and feature eulogies by family members and the club. It will remain private and not be filmed.
Among those offering eulogies and tributes were former United chief executive Gill, former Manchester United Foundation chief executive John Shiels and members of Charlton’s family.
Hymns included Abide With Me, traditionally sung before the FA Cup final, Jerusalem and a rendition of How Great Thou Art by opera singer Russell Watson.
Many of the current squad members have already travelled off to represent their countries in the upcoming internationals and so won’t be present.
However, current manager Erik ten Hag will miss Charlton’s funeral due to an ‘unbreakable and long-standing personal commitment in the Netherlands’.
The club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, will also stay away amid fears of abuse from fans.
Former FA executive director David Davies (right) arrives ahead of the funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester
Alan Kennedy, the former Newcastle United and Liverpool footballer, arrives
Mike Summerbee (left) embraces Brian Kidd following the funeral ceremony
Large crowds of well-wishers gathered outside Old Trafford to pay their respects to Charlton
Despite wet and windy conditions in Manchester, the route of the funeral cortège was packed with many who admired Charlton as a footballer and a man
Charlton’s funeral cortege will past the Holy Trinity statue – depicting him with George Best and Denis Law – en route to Manchester Cathedral
Tens of thousands have signed a book of condolence opened at Old Trafford following Sir Bobby’s passing in the early hours of October 21.
Charlton, who battled dementia in his later years, died following an accidental fall at a care home in Knutsford, Cheshire, coroners ruled.
Leading tributes today was Sir Bobby’s only surviving sibling, Tommy Charlton, who declared: ‘He was an icon to me but he was my big brother’, ahead of his funeral this afternoon.
Tommy Charlton, 77, believes the 1966 hero has been reunited with their older sibling Jack Charlton in heaven.
Tommy Charlton told the BBC: ‘He was my big brother. My fondest memories are when he was my brother. You’d meet him at the game and Bob would straighten your tie, and make sure your jacket was right and say you should have worn a different colour shirt. That was being a brother and I loved that’.
Sir Bobby is survived by his wife Lady Norma, their two daughters Suzanne and Andrea and grandchildren.
The gifted footballer, who was born in Ashington, Northumberland, on October 11 1937, is widely viewed as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game and played an integral role in England’s 1966 World Cup glory.
Following his death, Sir Geoff Hurst – who famously scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley – is now the only member of the team still alive.
Former England right-back George Cohen also died, aged 83, in December.
Images of Charlton outside Old Trafford ahead of United’s home fixture against Luton
Charlton died at the age of 86 on October 21 following a fall at his Cheshire nursing home
The United club legend will be sadly missed with thousands set to pay their respects
Tributes were paid to Charlton ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on October 29