Last Respects for a Footballing Great: Prince William and Sir Alex Ferguson Join Mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton’s Funeral

Prince William and Sir Alex Ferguson joined a host of prominent figures from the world of football and beyond to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton at his funeral service on Monday afternoon.

A Procession of Respect

Charlton’s funeral cortege passed by Old Trafford before heading on to Manchester Cathedral, where thousands of fans and well-wishers lined the streets to pay their respects.

Members of United’s under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour as the hearse drove past, and a platform was erected beneath the statue of Charlton’s manager at United, Sir Matt Busby, for fans to gather.

A Celebration of Life

The service at the cathedral was led by Canon Nigel Ashworth and featured eulogies by family members and the club.

It remained private and was not filmed.

Current United manager Erik ten Hag was unable to attend due to a “long-standing personal commitment” in the Netherlands, while the club’s owners, the Glazer family, stayed away amid fears of fan backlash.

A Tributes from the Greats

Charlton’s only surviving sibling, Tommy Charlton, declared: “He was an icon to me but he was my big brother.”

He also expressed his belief that Sir Bobby had been reunited with their older sibling Jack Charlton in heaven.

Other tributes came from Sir Bobby’s teammates, including Sir Geoff Hurst and George Cohen, as well as former Olympic champion Daley Thompson.

A Legacy Remembered

Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away on October 21 aged 86, 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.

His death leaves Sir Geoff Hurst as the only member of that winning team still alive.

Charlton was a gifted footballer who was born in Ashington, Northumberland, on October 11 1937.

He is survived by his wife Lady Norma, their two daughters Suzanne and Andrea, and grandchildren.