Michael Jackson's body to be displayed on stage at memorial service as fans gather for emotional farewell
Michael Jackson's body is expected to
go on show to his fans and a worldwide TV audience at today’s memorial
service in Los Angeles.
His gold-plated £18,000 coffin is set to be put on display open-topped at the Staples Centre sports and entertainment arena.
His body will 'lie in state' after being driven from the Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills where the Jackson family attended a service last night.
Among those
present were the singer’s two older children Prince Michael, 12, and
Paris, 11. His sisters Janet and La Toya Jackson, together with their
parents Joe and Katherine and Jacko’s five brothers, were also there.
The procession to the Staples Centre is being described as America’s “Princess Diana moment”. The Jackson brothers were said be keen on the body being driven in an open coffin so that mourners could throw flowers.
A team of circus elephants and tigers were being lined up for a show at the Staples Centre.
The funeral arrangements were being reported in the LA Times and on the TMZ website, which first revealed the 50-year-old singer’s death 12 days ago.
Even for Jackson, whose life was littered with bizarre episodes, the memorial plan was seen by some as ghoulish and the family was said to be divided over whether to make the ceremony more discreet.
The Jacksons’ deeply religious mother, Katherine, was reported to be anxious for a more low-key affair.
The California Highway Patrol was preparing to provide an escort for the family motorcade to travel the 11 miles between the cemetery and the Staples Centre. A cordon has already been thrown around the area to keep at a distance the thousands of fans without tickets who are expected to turn up.
Dame Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson’s closest friends, said she was snubbing the 'public hoopla' of the event. The veteran film star, 77, was asked to speak at the memorial, but turned the organisers down.
In a statement on Twitter, she wrote: 'I just don’t believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others.’
Jackson’s brother, Jermaine, was being tipped to headline a show at the Staples Centre which was scheduled to begin at 6pm British time. He was due to be joined on stage by guests including Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Brooke Shields.
His gold-plated £18,000 coffin is set to be put on display open-topped at the Staples Centre sports and entertainment arena.
His body will 'lie in state' after being driven from the Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills where the Jackson family attended a service last night.
Michael Jackson, seen here at the announcement of his ill-fated O2 concerts. His body is set to lie in state
The procession to the Staples Centre is being described as America’s “Princess Diana moment”. The Jackson brothers were said be keen on the body being driven in an open coffin so that mourners could throw flowers.
A team of circus elephants and tigers were being lined up for a show at the Staples Centre.
The funeral arrangements were being reported in the LA Times and on the TMZ website, which first revealed the 50-year-old singer’s death 12 days ago.
Even for Jackson, whose life was littered with bizarre episodes, the memorial plan was seen by some as ghoulish and the family was said to be divided over whether to make the ceremony more discreet.
The Jacksons’ deeply religious mother, Katherine, was reported to be anxious for a more low-key affair.
The California Highway Patrol was preparing to provide an escort for the family motorcade to travel the 11 miles between the cemetery and the Staples Centre. A cordon has already been thrown around the area to keep at a distance the thousands of fans without tickets who are expected to turn up.
In state: Michael Jackson's body will go on display at the public memorial service being held in Los Angeles today
Tranquil: Forest Lawn Memorial Park where Michael Jackson will be laid to rest after the public mourning
More than 1.6 million people registered for free tickets to the memorial. A total of 8,750 people received two each. Dame Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson’s closest friends, said she was snubbing the 'public hoopla' of the event. The veteran film star, 77, was asked to speak at the memorial, but turned the organisers down.
In a statement on Twitter, she wrote: 'I just don’t believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others.’
Jackson’s brother, Jermaine, was being tipped to headline a show at the Staples Centre which was scheduled to begin at 6pm British time. He was due to be joined on stage by guests including Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Brooke Shields.
Superstar mourners: Singers Mariah Carey, Usher Raymond, and Diana Ross will lead the tributes tonight
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