Naomi, Kate and designer Stella join family for Alexander McQueen's funeral

Celebrities, designers and grieving relatives gathered today for the funeral of Alexander McQueen.

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell joined the fashion designer's family for a private 40-minute service at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge.

Afterwards the congregation gathered outside as the church bells rang out and the coffin, adorned with lilies and white roses, was placed in the hearse among flower arrangements reading "Lee" — McQueen's first name — and "uncle".

Mourners consoled one another as the hearse was driven away, followed by limousines carrying family members, many wearing tartan ties and scarves made by the designer.

McQueen's three sisters and two brothers accompanied their father Ronald to the funeral.

Moss, who wore five-inch Christian Louboutin shoes, was accompanied by designer Stella McCartney as she left in a black Mercedes. Also among the mourners were artist and director Sam Taylor-Wood, artist Daphne Guinness and model Annabelle Neilson.

McQueen hanged himself in his wardrobe at home in Mayfair on 11 February on the eve of his mother's funeral. The 40-year-old's body was discovered by his cleaner. An inquest heard he left a suicide note for his loved ones.

Friends said he had locked himself away and refused to get out of bed after his mother Joyce died on 2 February. She was in her mid-seventies.

McQueen, the son of a cabbie, grew up in the East End. It is believed he will be buried next to his mother at Manor Park cemetery in Forest Gate.