Derek Draper funeral: Kate Garraway’s husband laid to rest today in service attended by Elton John and Keir Starmer

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Sir Elton John arrives for Mr Draper’s funeral in north London Last year, Elton John invited Mr Draper and Ms Garraway to be his guests of honour at his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert at London’s O2 Arena, where he stunned them by dedicating his hit single “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Mr Draper and his family. open image in gallery Ms Garraway attends the funeral of her husband Draper at the church where they got married 18 years ago Appearing on her Smooth Radio show the following day, the Good Morning Britain host explained that the message had been particularly special as “right up to the last minute” she hadn’t known if it would even be possible for Mr Draper to attend. “Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life.” open image in gallery Darcey Draper carries her father’s coffin at the funeral service in London Ms Garraway was pictured wearing a long black coat and a pearl necklace while entering the church where she and Mr Draper tied the knot in 2005. open image in gallery Labour leader Keir Starmer, arriving for the service, was among the political figures in attendance Darcey Draper, 17, was among those carrying her father’s coffin at the funeral service. open image in gallery TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan, who has praised Ms Garraway’s ‘commitment, dedication and loyalty’ to Mr Draper Writing a column forThe Sun after Mr Draper’s death, the TalkTV presenter noted: “Their marriage was even more magnificently powerful in the face of such tremendous adversity than it was in the good times, fuelled by a mutual love so profoundly deep that few experience anything like it.” Speaking on behalf of his friend, Mr Shephard previously said Ms Garraway and her children were in the “next stages” of grieving for Mr Draper in an update on 11 January.