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Kennedy ceremonies set to begin Mourners gather for Kennedy Mass
(about 2 hours later)
Three days of ceremonies to commemorate US Senator Edward Kennedy are due to begin with a family Mass at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts. Mourners have gathered for a family Mass to commemorate Edward Kennedy, at the start of three days of ceremonies following the death of the US senator.
Mr Kennedy's body will then be driven to Boston, where his coffin will be placed for public viewing ahead of a memorial service and a funeral Mass.Mr Kennedy's body will then be driven to Boston, where his coffin will be placed for public viewing ahead of a memorial service and a funeral Mass.
Mr Kennedy's death from cancer on Wednesday prompted a flood of tributes from the US and around the world. Mr Kennedy's death from cancer on Tuesday prompted a flood of tributes from the US and around the world.
He will be buried on Saturday evening at the Arlington National Cemetery.He will be buried on Saturday evening at the Arlington National Cemetery.
After Thursday's private Mass at the family compound in Hyannis Port, a motorcade carrying Mr Kennedy's coffin will drive past some of the sites in Boston linked to his life, before delivering his coffin to the John F Kennedy presidential library and museum. Among those gathering for Thursday's private Mass at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, were his son Patrick Kennedy, and nieces Caroline Kennedy and Maria Shriver, the Associated Press news agency reported.
'Great family'
A motorcade is then due to carry Mr Kennedy's coffin to Boston, driving past some of the sites linked to his life, before delivering his coffin to the John F Kennedy presidential library and museum.
After the public have paid their respects, there will be an invitation-only memorial service at the library on Friday evening.After the public have paid their respects, there will be an invitation-only memorial service at the library on Friday evening.
On Saturday, President Barack Obama is expected to address a funeral Mass for Mr Kennedy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston.On Saturday, President Barack Obama is expected to address a funeral Mass for Mr Kennedy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston.
Mr Kennedy will be buried on Saturday next to his brothers, John F Kennedy and Robert F Kennedy, at the Arlington national cemetery in northern Virginia.Mr Kennedy will be buried on Saturday next to his brothers, John F Kennedy and Robert F Kennedy, at the Arlington national cemetery in northern Virginia.
In the US, Mr Kennedy's death has been seen as the end of an era.In the US, Mr Kennedy's death has been seen as the end of an era.
The charismatic senator had long been the leader of one of America's great political dynasties, following the assassinations of his brothers in 1963 and 1968.The charismatic senator had long been the leader of one of America's great political dynasties, following the assassinations of his brothers in 1963 and 1968.
In a televised tribute on Wednesday, Mr Obama called Mr Kennedy "one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy". In a televised tribute on Wednesday, Mr Obama called Mr Kennedy an extraordinary leader and "one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy".
Just outside the family compound in Hyannis Port, David Nylan said people had been leaving flowers by his holiday home since Mr Kennedy's death.
"The Kennedys and Hyannis and the Cape, they just kind of go hand in hand," he said.
"They're just a great family from around here, and people respect what they've done in office, and the good things they've done.
"Of course, they've had some black marks against them, but who hasn't?"