Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
Celine Dion’s husband, René Angélil, is seen lying in state during the memorial service held in Montreal yesterday afternoon. Thousands of fans gathered to give their condolences to the man who went from being Celine's manager to the love of her life.
Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
René proved to the world that Las Vegas was the place to be for a true pop star. He put together Celine's 2003 Vegas show at Caesars Palace that had Celine grossing over $400 million in four years!
Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
Céline was a tragic figure at the service. The internationally-beloved pop star, 47, joined mourners while dressed in black and sporting the traditional widow's veil as well as black gloves. She stood next to René's open casket alongside her stepsons, Patrick and Jean-Pierre Angélil.
Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
Some fans were wondering about her famous friends who never made an appearance! Even as the heartbroken diva was far from her residency in Las Vegas, celebrities were gathering in Sin City to welcome a new pop star to the Strip. Jennifer Lopez continued to draw a star-studded crowd for her first shows at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood resort — with no one taking the time to mention poor Céline on the red carpet.
Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
Céline is planning to return to her own Las Vegas residency with a show on Feb. 23. Sadly, Celine is used to playing Vegas with a broken heart. She returned to the stage in September 2015 despite knowing that Réne was in his final weeks.
Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
René died on Jan. 14, just days before his 74th birthday. “René is with me on that stage,” Céline said, characterizing the first show of her 40-concert residency as “fragile.” “There will be moments,” she acknowledged, “of emptiness, laughter, awkwardness, tearing up. But that’s the point of coming back.”
Public Memorial Service for Celine Dion’s Husband Rene Angelil
Mourners leaving Notre-Dame Basilica received a photo of René with a message from Céline, in both French and English. “I understood that my career was in a way his masterpiece, his song, his symphony,” she wrote on the card. “The idea of leaving it unfinished would have hurt him terribly. I realized that if he ever left us, I would have to continue without him, for him.”