Stirring scenes unfolded as the cortege departed from Chatsworth House (pictured) - the family seat of the Devonshires and the place to which she devoted her life - before snaking its way through the spectacular Derbyshire landscape. In a fitting tribute, more than 600 members of staff from the stately home - dressed in traditional livery - lined the mile-long route from Chatsworth to nearby St Peter's Church in estate village Edensor where the service was held. The royal mourners (left) walked behind the hearse, just after the Dowager's son, the current Duke of Devonshire, and other close family members, as it weaved slowly through the rolling estate. The Duchess (inset) died on Wednesday last week, aged 94.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were among the hundreds of mourners who gathered this afternoon for the funeral of the last of the famous Mitford sisters, The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire.
Stirring scenes unfolded as the cortege departed from Chatsworth House - the family seat of the Devonshires and the place to which she devoted her life - before snaking its way through the spectacular Derbyshire landscape.
In a fitting tribute, more than 600 members of staff from the stately home - dressed in traditional livery - lined the mile-long route from Chatsworth to nearby St Peter's Church in estate village Edensor where the service was held.
The royal mourners walked behind the hearse, just after the Dowager's son, the current Duke of Devonshire, and other close family members, as it weaved slowly through the rolling estate.
Close friend Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were among the mourners who gathered to pay tribute to the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire at St Peter's Church in Edensor, Derbyshire, this afternoon
The cortege set off from Chatsworth House, the place to which the Dowager dedicated her life. The house, farmyard, stables and restaurants were closed to the public today as a sign of respect
he royal mourners walked behind the hearse, just after the current Duke of Devonshire and other close family members, as it moved slowly through the spectacular landscape
Fitting: In a fitting tribute, some 600 staff from the stately home dressed in traditional livery as they prepared to line the route to the funeral service
In stirring scenes, the cortege snaked through the grounds and travelled the mile-long route through the park to the church
The procession took around half an hour to make its way through the 35,000 acre estate towards the church. The entire route was dotted with members of staff
The Dowager's coffin was carried into St Peter's Church, where 200 mourners gathered. Hundreds more waited on the green in the village where they watched the service on two large screens
The Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, appeared visibly moved as they attended the funeral of the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire
Her coffin was adorned with woodland foliage, showing the Dowager's love for the Derbyshire countryside where she lived for most of her life
Hundreds - if not thousands - of members of the public descended on the small village in Derbyshire to play a part in the Dowager's funeral
After the service, the gardens of the stately home were opened to members of the public for a garden party, to celebrate the life of the Dowager
These gentlemen and lady, dressed in tweed, were at Chatsworth today to pay tribute to the last of the Mitford sisters
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