Sombre Carla Bruni joins mourners at funeral of Gerard Depardieu's son
on 17th October 2008
France's first lady Carla Bruni joined hundreds of mourners today at the funeral of movie star Gerard Depardieu's son.
The memorial service for Guillaume Depardieu, who died suddenly from pneumonia on Monday, was held today at the Bougival church, in Paris.
Guillaume's family, lead by father Gerard and mother Élisabeth, and friends, including Italian actress Monica Bellucci, were among those gathered to farewell the 37-year-old.
The eldest son of the renowned French actor was well known in his own right after starring in a number of films including the movie adaptation of Les Miserables in 2001.
In mourning: Carla Bruni, the wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, arrived today to pay her respects as the funeral of Guillaume Depardieu
Offering comfort: Carla consoles Guillaume's sister Julie Depardieu
The actor, who had a daughter Louise, died in a Parisian hospital following a severe bout of pneumonia.
He had been filming a new movie, L'Enfance d'Icare, in Romania at the weekend when he suddenly fell ill.
His father's publicist, Artmedia, said: 'He caught a virus which gave him a very severe pneumonia. Gerard is devastated.'
In 1995 Guillaume was involved in a serious motorbike accident and had a leg amputated.
Brave face: Gerard Depardieu appears on a giant screen outside the church as he speaks to the congregation at his son's funeral
Emotional: French actor Vincent Cassel and partner Italian actress Monica Bellucci were also among the mourners
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