Final goodbyes at Duchess's funeral service

THE FUNERAL service for the Dowager Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry took place in Melrose yesterday.

Born Jane McNeill, she was a model for the house of Norman Hartnell - the Queen's favourite fashion designer - before marrying the 9th Duke of Buccleuch, then the Earl of Dalkeith, in 1953.

The daughter of John McNeill QC, of Colonsay, she spent much of her youth in the Far East before returning to Scotland in 1937. She died in a London hospital last week at the age of 81.

Her funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church and a further service will take place in Northamptonshire at a later date.