Prince Williams and Sir Alex Ferguson led mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral service as prominent figures from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to one of England’s greatest-ever players. 

Family, friends, fans and famous players past and present celebrated Charlton’s extraordinary life on Monday afternoon with his funeral cortege passing by Old Trafford before heading on to Manchester Cathedral for a memorial service. 

Legendary United boss Ferguson was pictured arriving in windy conditions at Manchester Cathedral alongside former United chief executive David Gill. 

Prince William attended the memorial service in his role as Football Association president.  

A host of former United players are among 1,000 in attendance, with Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel and Andrew Cole among those at the service.

Stepney described the 1966 World Cup winner as a ‘classic gentleman of football’ as he walked into the service. 

The England manager Gareth Southgate is also in attendance to pay respects to the Three Lions legend. 

Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton represented the current United squad. Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also present. 

The former Liverpool and Newcastle United player Alan Kennedy was among a host of representatives from other clubs, with the Real Madrid great Emilio Butragueño also there.

Thousands of fans and well-wishers lined the route of Charlton’s funeral cortege, which will pass Old Trafford at around 1.30pm before making its way to Manchester Cathedral for the 2pm service. 

Supporters gathered outside Old Trafford applauded as the cortege passed by. Members of United’s under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour as the hearse drove past.

Beneath the statue of Charlton’s manager at United, Sir Matt Busby, a platform has been erected as thousands gather to pay respects.

An enormous poster depicting Charlton, who died on October 21 aged 86, in United colours hangs from the stadium’s exterior.

His cortege will pass the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue, which depicts Charlton celebrating a goal with fellow United greats Denis Law and George Best.

A red, white and black scarf has been draped around Charlton’s neck with the statue the centre for many floral tributes left by fans in recent weeks. 

The service at the cathedral will be led by Canon Nigel Ashworth and feature eulogies by family members and the club. It will remain private and not be filmed. 

Many of the current squad members have already travelled off to represent their countries in the upcoming internationals and so won’t be present.

However, current manager Erik ten Hag will miss Charlton’s funeral due to an ‘unbreakable and long-standing personal commitment in the Netherlands’. 

The club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, will also stay away amid fears of abuse from fans.  

Other greats from the world of sport, including former Olympic champion Daley Thompson, are also expected.

Tens of thousands have signed a book of condolence opened at Old Trafford following Sir Bobby’s passing in the early hours of October 21.

Charlton, who battled dementia in his later years, died following an accidental fall at a care home in Knutsford, Cheshire, coroners ruled.

Leading tributes today was Sir Bobby’s only surviving sibling, Tommy Charlton, who declared: ‘He was an icon to me but he was my big brother’, ahead of his funeral this afternoon.

Tommy Charlton, 77, believes the 1966 hero has been reunited with their older sibling Jack Charlton in heaven.

Tommy Charlton told the BBC: ‘He was my big brother. My fondest memories are when he was my brother. You’d meet him at the game and Bob would straighten your tie, and make sure your jacket was right and say you should have worn a different colour shirt. That was being a brother and I loved that’.

Sir Bobby is survived by his wife Lady Norma, their two daughters Suzanne and Andrea and grandchildren.

The gifted footballer, who was born in Ashington, Northumberland, on October 11 1937, is widely viewed as one of the greatest players to ever grace the game and played an integral role in England’s 1966 World Cup glory.

Following his death, Sir Geoff Hurst – who famously scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley – is now the only member of the team still alive.

Former England right-back George Cohen also died, aged 83, in December.