Public pays respects to Celine Dion’s husband, Rene Angelil, before funeral

A woman takes a photograph of a large screen showing a photo of the late Rene Angelil, husband and manager of Canadian singer Celine Dion, as hundreds wait in line outside Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica today to pay their respects.

Dion, 47, entered the church with her 5-year-old twin sons, Nelson and Eddie, by her side, and older son Rene-Charles escorted Dion’s mother Therese.

Celine stood near her husband’s open casket Thursday for hours at Rene’s public viewing, greeting thousands of fans who had descended upon to church in hopes of catching a glimpse of Angelil.

Rene-Charles was seen escorting his mother out of the cathedral after the services ended alongside another man close to the family. “Je t’aime papa (I love you dad)”.

They will stream the funeral online beginning at 3 PM Friday, and it will be presided over by Christian Lépine, the archbishop of Montreal. The people are supporting her in her mourning and are celebrating his life. Dion did not perform, nor did she speak, but several of her love songs were played during the service, including “Pour que tu m’aimes encore” and “All the Way”, a duet with Frank Sinatra.

The premier called Dion’s worldwide success a source of pride for Quebec and noted Angelil was there to help develop her career.

Singer Celine Dion personally greeted mourners at her husband Rene Angelil’s wake.

“We also honour the philanthropist, somebody who has been extremely active in our artistic and cultural community”.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Summit, was represented by his wife Sophie Gregoire.