Stephen Hawking funeral: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones and Brian May lead mourners
STEPHEN HAWKING will be remembered today in a private funeral ceremony. The Theory of Everything stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, who portrayed the theoretical physicist and his first wife Jane Hawking in the film, were pictured arriving at the service in Cambridge. Queen singer Brian May and Lily Cole also attended the event.
Eddie Redmayne arrives at Professor Stephen Hawking's funeral
Stephen Hawking funeral: The Theory of Everything actor Eddie Redmayne has arrived in Cambridge
We have lost a truly beautiful mind.
Professor Stephen Hawking passed away in his Cambridge home on March 14 at the age of 76.
The Cambridge-educated cosmologist was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in his 20s.
The renowned scientist’s family and friends will gather at University Church of St Mary the Great in Cambridge today to pay tribute to the life of the cosmologist.
Eddie Redmayne, who portrayed Stephen in the 2014 film about his life, was spotted arriving to pay his respects today.
The actor will give a reading during the funeral with Ecclesiastes 3.1-11 as the chosen text.Stephen Hawking funeral: Eddie Redmayne paid his respects at the Great St. Mary Church in Cambridge
Stephen Hawking funeral: Family and friends will celebrate the life of the great scientist today
Stephen Hawking funeral: Eddie Redmayne portrayed the scientist in The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking funeral: The Theory of Everything star Felicity Jones portrayed Jane Hawking
The 36-year-old actor paid tribute to the late academic shortly after his death.
He wrote: “We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet.
"My love and thoughts are with his extraordinary family."
Felicity Jones, who portrayed Stephen’s first wife Jane Hawking in the film, was also seen arriving to celebrate the life of the great scientist.
The service begins at 2pm.
Astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May also attended the service, alongside his wife Anita Dobson.
Stephen Hawking funeral: Brian May and Anita Dobson looked smart as they arrived at the church
Stephen Hawking funeral: Lily Cole paid her respects to the late scientist at the private ceremony
Brian attended the Starmus Festival in Tenerife back in June 2016, which was dedicated to Stephen and celebrated astronomy, music, and sciences including biology and chemistry.
The 70-year-old musician wore a pin-striped suit with a white shirt and black tie, and embellished his coat with a badge which made a nod at his Save Me Trust.
Actress and model Lily Cole was amongst the guests at the private ceremony.
Dressed in a dark silk jacket and floral dress, the Cambridge University graduate looked solemn as she arrived.
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins paid tribute to the late cosmologist as she wore a star-patterned black dress.
Stephen Hawking funeral: Charlotte Hawkins paid tribute to the scientist with a star-printed dress
Crowds start to gather in Cambridge for Stephen Hawking’s funeral
Stephen Hawking funeral: Dara O Briain attended the funeral in Cambridge today
Comedian Dara Ó Briain, donned a smart black suit for the sad occasion.
Dara, who met the world’s most celebrated scientist back in 2015, paid tribute to the scientist earlier this month.
Amongst a lengthy message posted on Twitter, the 46-year-old wrote: “What a privilege it was to know Stephen Hawking. His work elevated us to the extra-ordinary; his life pushed down a terrible, limiting disease so that he could enjoy the full joy of the ordinary.
“In both, he was a triumph of what can we, as humans, can achieve.
“He was one of the few people I would call a hero of mine; it was an honour and joy to have spent time with him.”
Celebrities including Carol Vorderman and American author Tim Fargo have paid tribute to the star on Twitter.