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Prof Stephen Hawking Cambridge funeral to take place Prof Stephen Hawking Cambridge funeral to take place
(35 minutes later)
Actor Eddie Redmayne is to give a reading at the funeral of renowned theoretical physicist Prof Stephen Hawking.Actor Eddie Redmayne is to give a reading at the funeral of renowned theoretical physicist Prof Stephen Hawking.
The Oscar winner will be one of several speakers at the service in Cambridge.The Oscar winner will be one of several speakers at the service in Cambridge.
Prof Hawking, who had motor neurone disease, died on 14 March, aged 76, at his home in the city.Prof Hawking, who had motor neurone disease, died on 14 March, aged 76, at his home in the city.
His eldest child, Robert, former student Prof Fay Dowking, and Astronomer Royal Martin Rees will also deliver addresses to the congregation. His eldest child, Robert, former student Prof Fay Dowker, and Astronomer Royal Martin Rees will also deliver addresses to the congregation.
Up to 500 invited family, friends and colleagues are expected at the private service being held at the university church, Great St Mary's, at 14:00 BST.Up to 500 invited family, friends and colleagues are expected at the private service being held at the university church, Great St Mary's, at 14:00 BST.
Redmayne, who played the role of the professor in the 2014 biographical drama The Theory of Everything, was seen arriving at the church earlier.Redmayne, who played the role of the professor in the 2014 biographical drama The Theory of Everything, was seen arriving at the church earlier.
He is due to read Ecclesiastes 3.1-11, while eulogies will be delivered by Robert Hawking and Prof Dowker.He is due to read Ecclesiastes 3.1-11, while eulogies will be delivered by Robert Hawking and Prof Dowker.
The service will be officiated by the Reverend Dr Cally Hammond, Dean of Gonville and Caius College, where Prof Hawking was a fellow for more than 50 years.The service will be officiated by the Reverend Dr Cally Hammond, Dean of Gonville and Caius College, where Prof Hawking was a fellow for more than 50 years.
The church bell will toll 76 times - once for each year of Prof Hawking's life, when the funeral cortege arrives.
An arrangement of white lilies, to represent the universe, and another of white representing the polar star will be placed on top of his coffin.
His ashes will be interred next to the grave of Sir Isaac Newton at Westminster Abbey in June.His ashes will be interred next to the grave of Sir Isaac Newton at Westminster Abbey in June.
Although the professor's funeral is private, people have begun gathering in the centre of Cambridge to witness the arrival of the funeral cortege on Saturday afternoon.Although the professor's funeral is private, people have begun gathering in the centre of Cambridge to witness the arrival of the funeral cortege on Saturday afternoon.
His coffin will be carried into the church by six porters from Gonville and Caius College,His coffin will be carried into the church by six porters from Gonville and Caius College,
The porters, who often assisted the professor when he visited the college for formal dinners, were asked to be pallbearers by the his family.The porters, who often assisted the professor when he visited the college for formal dinners, were asked to be pallbearers by the his family.
The funeral will be followed by a private reception at Trinity College.The funeral will be followed by a private reception at Trinity College.
While no full road closures are planned, traffic will be held briefly in parts of Cambridge as the funeral cortege passes from the professor's home in the west of the city to King's Parade and the area around Great St Mary's Church.While no full road closures are planned, traffic will be held briefly in parts of Cambridge as the funeral cortege passes from the professor's home in the west of the city to King's Parade and the area around Great St Mary's Church.
There is likely to be increased congestion, the university has said.There is likely to be increased congestion, the university has said.
A condolence book, which was opened on the morning of Prof Hawking's death, will be available to members of the public in the porters' lodge of Gonville and Caius College.A condolence book, which was opened on the morning of Prof Hawking's death, will be available to members of the public in the porters' lodge of Gonville and Caius College.
A service of thanksgiving for his life will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on 15 June during which time the professor's ashes will be interred next to the grave of Sir Isaac Newton who was buried there in 1727, and close to that of Charles Darwin, who was buried in 1882.A service of thanksgiving for his life will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on 15 June during which time the professor's ashes will be interred next to the grave of Sir Isaac Newton who was buried there in 1727, and close to that of Charles Darwin, who was buried in 1882.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said it was "entirely fitting" the professor's final resting place should be "near those of distinguished fellow scientists".The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said it was "entirely fitting" the professor's final resting place should be "near those of distinguished fellow scientists".
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