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Havel: Thousands honour late Czech leader Havel: Thousands honour late Czech leader
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of people have accompanied the coffin of late Czech leader Vaclav Havel en route to Prague Castle where he will lie in state.Thousands of people have accompanied the coffin of late Czech leader Vaclav Havel en route to Prague Castle where he will lie in state.
The procession marks the start of three official days of mourning for Havel who died on Sunday aged 75.The procession marks the start of three official days of mourning for Havel who died on Sunday aged 75.
Many applauded as the hearse carrying the former dissident playwright who led the 1989 overthrow of communism passed through the historic centre.Many applauded as the hearse carrying the former dissident playwright who led the 1989 overthrow of communism passed through the historic centre.
A state funeral for the first Czech president is to take place on Friday.A state funeral for the first Czech president is to take place on Friday.
Royal routeRoyal route
Havel's coffin was carried in a hearse, followed by members of Havel's family and thousands of members of the public, many dressed in black. Havel's coffin was carried in a hearse, followed by members of Havel's family and an estimated 10,000 people, many dressed in black.
The route passed through the heart of the medieval Old Town, across the 14th Century Charles Bridge and up the steep hill to the castle. "Mr Havel was a model of a man who longs to live in truth and in harmony with his inner conscience, and who is not afraid to suffer for that," Jaroslav Mino, who came from eastern Slovakia for the event, told Agence France Presse.
It is known as the Royal Route - used by kings and emperors for centuries. The bridge was lined with hundreds of people who watched as the procession passed. The procession through the heart of the medieval Old Town followed what is known as the Royal Route - used by kings and emperors for centuries.
At the barracks of the Castle Guard, the coffin was draped in the Czech flag and placed on a gun carriage drawn by six horses accompanied by soldiers in ceremonial uniform to make the short journey to Prague Castle. At the barracks of the Castle Guard, the coffin was draped in the Czech flag and placed on a gun carriage drawn by six horses accompanied by soldiers in ceremonial uniform for the short journey to Prague Castle.
Friday's funeral, at St Vitus Cathedral in Prague, will be the Czech Republic's first ever state funeral since independence and is expected to be attended by dignitaries from around the world. It now lies inside the 15th-century Vladislav Hall.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose husband, Bill, visited a jazz club as president with the late Czech leader in 1994 is expected to attend. Friday's funeral, at St Vitus Cathedral in Prague, will be the Czech Republic's first state funeral since independence and is expected to be attended by dignitaries from around the world.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose husband, Bill, visited a jazz club as president with the late Czech leader in 1994, is expected to attend.
Heads of state or government from France, Germany, Israel and Austria and leaders from across eastern Europe, including Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania are also expected to attend.Heads of state or government from France, Germany, Israel and Austria and leaders from across eastern Europe, including Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania are also expected to attend.
Vaclav Havel became president of Czechoslovakia in 1989 after the fall of communism. When Slovakia split in 1993, he remained Czech leader until 2003.Vaclav Havel became president of Czechoslovakia in 1989 after the fall of communism. When Slovakia split in 1993, he remained Czech leader until 2003.
Having suffered from respiratory problems for many years, he died on Sunday at his country home in Hradecek, north-east of Prague, where he was being looked after by his wife Dagmar Havlova.Having suffered from respiratory problems for many years, he died on Sunday at his country home in Hradecek, north-east of Prague, where he was being looked after by his wife Dagmar Havlova.
He had suffered "circulatory failure, the result of all health problems he had experienced, starting with pneumonia he had suffered from in prison", his doctor Tomas Bouzek told Czech media.He had suffered "circulatory failure, the result of all health problems he had experienced, starting with pneumonia he had suffered from in prison", his doctor Tomas Bouzek told Czech media.
Havel had part of a lung removed during surgery for cancer in the 1990s and had moved to his country home for health reasons in the summer, returning briefly to the capital to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama earlier this month. Havel had part of a lung removed during cancer surgery in the 1990s.
This summer he had moved to his country home for health reasons, returning briefly to the capital to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama earlier this month.
One report said the former dissident had died after making plans with his wife for a quiet Christmas party.One report said the former dissident had died after making plans with his wife for a quiet Christmas party.