Sarah Ferguson also read out a poem by George Frost which he had written for his late father David Frost who was a British TV journalist.
Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of legendary cultural icon Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley, passed away on January 12, 2023, and is now mourned by millions across the world along with her friends and family. Her memorial service was held at Graceland on Sunday, January 22 and it was attended by several notable celebrities and famous faces including Sarah Ferguson, 63. The Duchess of York attended her close friend’s final ceremony in order to “celebrate her extraordinary life”. The service also saw the attendance of guests like Axl Rose, Billy Corgan, Alanis Morissette, Elvis director Baz Luhrmann and star Austin Butler. According to PEOPLE, Ferguson made sure to share a quote from her former mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth II, to pay tribute to Lisa Marie at her memorial service.
"I stand here with great honor because we called each other 'sissy,' and I've been with you all for all your lives really," Ferguson said at the memorial tribute. She continued, "Sissy this is for you with affection. My late mother-in-law used to say that nothing that can be said can begin to take away the anguish and the pain of these moments because grief is the price we pay for love. And how right she was." Ferguson also shared a throwback picture with Presley on her Instagram which she captioned writing, "I will continue to say hello to you every day."
Ferguson also addressed how Lisa Marie had suffered a massive loss with her son Benjamin’s death in 2020. She said, "We look at Priscilla as a mother to Lisa Marie, we look at Lisa Marie and say, 'You lost a son'. Mothers losing children — there are no words for it. So today we talk about action. Action is the way we can go forward, we can light the flame. So for Riley, for Harper and Finley, and the entire family, we march forward in support of you. All of us are with you. If you just put out your hand we will be there. I will definitely be there."
Ferguson also read out a poem by George Frost which he had written for his late father David Frost who was a British TV journalist. "I've had my life and enjoyed every second. But as it is, another life beckoned," she narrated. According to a statement released by the Presley family to Variety, “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love, and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”
Just so very sad #LisaMariePresley 🌷❤️ pic.twitter.com/BSOW6nE6hG
— Mia Farrow🇺🇦 (@MiaFarrow) January 13, 2023
“I am eternally grateful for the time I was lucky enough to be near her bright light and will forever cherish the quiet moments we shared. Her warmth, her love, and her authenticity will always be remembered,” actor Austin Butler told Vulture. Lisa Marie had attended the Golden Globes two days before her death where Butler won for his role in the Elvis biopic.
The public service was hosted at the Graceland mansion’s front lawn in Memphis, Tennessee. Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla, daughter Riley Keough, half-brother Navarone Garcia, ex-husband Michael Lockwood, their 14-year-old twin daughters Finley and Harper, and many others came in support of Lisa Marie. She suffered a cardiac arrest on January 12 and was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital where she took her final breath.
References:
https://people.com/royals/lisa-marie-presley-memorial-sarah-ferguson-quotes-queen-elizabeth/
https://www.vulture.com/2023/01/lisa-marie-presley-death-tributes.html
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo By Jason Kempin
