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Everest hero Hillary laid to rest Everest hero Hillary laid to rest
(10 minutes later)
New Zealand is bidding a final farewell to Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber to stand atop Mount Everest, at his state funeral in Auckland.New Zealand is bidding a final farewell to Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber to stand atop Mount Everest, at his state funeral in Auckland.
Dignitaries from around the world are attending the service in St Mary's Church, which is being televised via satellite links around the world.Dignitaries from around the world are attending the service in St Mary's Church, which is being televised via satellite links around the world.
New Zealand PM Helen Clark and Norbu Tenzing Norgay, the son of his climbing partner, are due to address mourners.New Zealand PM Helen Clark and Norbu Tenzing Norgay, the son of his climbing partner, are due to address mourners.
Sir Edmund, 88, died of a heart attack in Auckland on 11 January.Sir Edmund, 88, died of a heart attack in Auckland on 11 January.
Crowds of people gathered under cloudy skies outside the church hours ahead of the two-hour ceremony.Crowds of people gathered under cloudy skies outside the church hours ahead of the two-hour ceremony.
National heroNational hero
The prime minister accompanied the mountaineer's widow, Lady June Hillary, and son, Peter, into Tuesday's church service.The prime minister accompanied the mountaineer's widow, Lady June Hillary, and son, Peter, into Tuesday's church service.
The BBC's Greg Ward in Auckland says tens of thousands of New Zealanders will pay their last respects to the legendary adventurer.The BBC's Greg Ward in Auckland says tens of thousands of New Zealanders will pay their last respects to the legendary adventurer.
Tributes have been paid to the climber all around the world
Dignitaries from Nepal, the US, Australia, Russia and India are among about 500 invited guests who have gathered to bid farewell to the mountaineer hailed as New Zealand's greatest national hero.Dignitaries from Nepal, the US, Australia, Russia and India are among about 500 invited guests who have gathered to bid farewell to the mountaineer hailed as New Zealand's greatest national hero.
Governor-General Anand Satyanand is representing the UK's Queen Elizabeth II - who is also New Zealand's head of state.Governor-General Anand Satyanand is representing the UK's Queen Elizabeth II - who is also New Zealand's head of state.
On Monday hundreds of people filed past his casket next door at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he lay in state.On Monday hundreds of people filed past his casket next door at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he lay in state.
Around the country, thousands are watching the event on large outdoor screens set up in several main centres.Around the country, thousands are watching the event on large outdoor screens set up in several main centres.
A special television satellite link has also been set up to Nepal and Antarctica.A special television satellite link has also been set up to Nepal and Antarctica.
After the funeral, Sir Edmund will be commemorated with a Maori Haka dance.After the funeral, Sir Edmund will be commemorated with a Maori Haka dance.
The cortege will travel through Auckland city streets before Sir Edmund is cremated at a private service.The cortege will travel through Auckland city streets before Sir Edmund is cremated at a private service.
After conquering Everest, Sir Edmund led several expeditions to the South Pole and devoted time to helping ethnic Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region through his Himalayan Trust.After conquering Everest, Sir Edmund led several expeditions to the South Pole and devoted time to helping ethnic Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region through his Himalayan Trust.
The former beekeeper became famous after he and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to scale the world's highest peak on 29 May 1953.The former beekeeper became famous after he and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to scale the world's highest peak on 29 May 1953.