LONDON: A homage fit for kings will be paid to Sir Winston Churchill, who died here this morning [Jan 24] following a stroke nine days ago, when his mortal remains are returned to the earth next Saturday. The State funeral of the 90-year-old War-time leader of Britain will be attended by leading Government representatives and Royal dignitaries from all over the world. Pakistan will be represented by her Foreign Minister, Mr Z.A. Bhutto, who is now in New York.

Before Sir Winston Churchill’s State funeral, his body will lie in state at the Westminster Hall in London for three days. This honour is normally extended by Britons only to deceased monarchs. The victor of World War II and one of those creators of human history whose names are writ large in the immortal chronicles of man, Sir Winston Churchill breathed his last soon after eight this morning. Sir Winston’s wife and other members of the family were by his bedside when he died peacefully in his sleep.

Agency reports add: He died 70 years to the day after the death of his own father, Lord Randolph Churchill, a Parliamentarian who also left a mark on his era. A State funeral was announced as tributes to the warrior-statesman flooded in from all parts of the world. Church bells tolled in London. Queen Elizabeth will lead the world in mourning Sir Winston Churchill at his funeral services at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2015

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