Thousands pay their respects to Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton

Prince William and Sir Alex Ferguson attend funeral service at Manchester Cathedral

The cortege of English soccer icon Bobby Charlton passes by the statue of Manchester United trio of George Best, left, Denis Law, center, and Sir Bobby Charlton outside Old Trafford stadium on its way to the funeral service at Manchester Cathedral in Manchester, England, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Charlton who played largely for Manchester United survived a plane crash that decimated a United team destined for greatness, he went on to became the heartbeat of his country's 1966 World Cup triumph. (AP Photo / Rui Vieira)

Thousands of fans pay their respects as the cortege of football great Sir Bobby Charlton makes its way to the funeral service at Manchester Cathedral. AP

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Sir Bobby Charlton during the funeral ceremony at Manchester Cathedral. Manchester United and England great Charlton died aged 86 in October. Reuters

Widow of Sir Bobby Charlton, Norma Charlton, during the funeral ceremony at Manchester Cathedral. Reuters

The Prince of Wales arrives at the funeral service of Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral. EPA

Former Manchester United player Roy Keane arrives for the funeral service of Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral. EPA

Former Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward at the funeral service of Sir Bobby Charlton. EPA

The funeral procession for Sir Bobby Charlton passes Old Trafford. Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill arrive ahead of the funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton at Manchester Cathedral. PA

Manchester United's former manager Alex Ferguson at Manchester Cathedral to attend the funeral of Bobby Charlton. AFP

Former Manchester United player Mark Hughes at Manchester Cathedral for the funeral. Reuters

Flowers and a scarf laid outside Old Trafford as a tribute to Sir Robert Charlton. Getty Images

Former Manchester United player Bryan Robson arrives for the funeral of Bobby Charlton in Manchester. AP

Former Manchester United players Paddy Crerand, centre, and Andy Cole, right, at Manchester Cathedral. PA

Former Liverpool player Alan Kennedy at Manchester Cathedral. AFP

England's manager Gareth Southgate at the funeral of Bobby Charlton. AFP

Sir Alex Ferguson, left, former manager of Manchester United and David Gill, centre, director and former chief executive of the club at the funeral service of Sir Bobby Charlton. EPA

Former Manchester United player Andy Cole at Manchester Cathedral. PA

Paul Scholes, centre, in Manchester. AP

Former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards at Manchester Cathedral. PA

England assistant coach Steve Holland arrives at Manchester Cathedral. Reuters

Former Manchester United player Ashley Young at Manchester Cathedral. Reuters

Former Manchester United player Brian Kidd at the funeral service. AP

Former Manchester United player Alex Stepney at Manchester Cathedral. Reuters

Thousands of fans gathered on the streets of Manchester for the funeral of English football great Bobby Charlton on Monday.

Charlton, a World Cup winner with England and one of Manchester United's finest players, passed away on October 21 at the age of 86.

Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, former players Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Paddy Crerand, Andy Cole and Paul Scholes, England manager Gareth Southgate, and Prince William were among the invited guests at the cathedral for the service.

Charlton was a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and also enjoyed great success at club level with United, winning the European Cup in 1968, three league titles and the FA Cup. He played a total of 758 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals.

“I knew straight away what a great guy he was … Even on international duty it was about winning. A humble guy, a great family man. It never went to his head,” Charlton's former teammate Alex Stepney told the BBC.

The cortege made its way across United's Old Trafford stadium apron, lined by crowds three or four deep in places, before making a right turn out of the complex to continue its three-mile journey to Manchester Cathedral in the city centre.

The hearse was welcomed with gentle applause as it drove past the stadium's East Stand and the United Trinity statue, which features Charlton himself and fellow club greats George Best and Denis Law.

Representatives of the club's under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour flanking the statue and, behind it, there were numerous black and white photographs depicting Charlton's career.