- Pop star, 46, arrived at church clutching the hands of her twin five-year-old sons
- Dressed in an elegant full-sleeve dress and a black veil, the star’s pain was etched across her face
- René Angélil died on January 14 at the age of 73
- The couple’s brave son René Charles, 14 – who turns 15 on Monday, stood to pay touching tribute to his father
- He laughed at his father’s love of smoked meats, said he was a ‘tough act to follow’ before ending ‘Je T’aime Papa’
- Immediately after Celine’s hit version of ‘All the Way’ played to tears of much of the congregation
- The funeral followed an emotional memorial for Angélil on Thursday
- Celine stood for hours personally greeting well-wishers at that open casket service
- Angélil was Celine’s manager as well as a singer himself. The couple’s stature in Canada was reflected in the ceremony, which was broadcast across the country and where flags have been hung at half-mast
The service was broadcast on giant screens outside the Basilica – the church where the couple was married in December 1994 – and flags across Quebec will remain at half-mast throughout the day.
Dion entered the service surrounded by family and placed a rose touchingly on the casket while being comforted by her eldest child. There also appeared to be a small pillow holding the couple’s wedding bands.
Angélil’s adult son Patrick paid tribute to him with a eulogy in French and was followed by René Charles.
‘He never missed a chance to tell us he loved us. Now, more than ever, we realize how exceptional it was to have a father who never hesitated to say those so precious words,’ The Toronto Star translated.
