Family and close friends came together on Saturday to pay tribute to the former James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Monte Carlo.
Sir Roger had fought a short and brave battle with cancer and died in Switzerland on May 22. Around 100 people joined his wife Kristine Tholstrup and the family for Saturday’s service, among them Prince Albert, who gave one of the scripture readings, Dame Joan Collins, Bill Wyman, and Leslie Bricusse.
Also present were Bond family figures such as writer and producer Michael Wilson, Harry Saltzman’s son Steven, who read a note from his sister, Hilary, and the many locals who knew Sir Roger well, including Kate and Mike Powers, and Sir Stelios.
“It was a simple yet moving celebration of the life of Sir Roger Moore that recognised his legendary kindness, personal warmth and generosity,” Father Walter Raymond, who officiated the service, told Monaco Life.
Sir Roger’s three children each played a part in the ceremony. Christian, a resident of Monaco, took the lead in planning and organising the day in honour of his father and read “The Beatitudes” during the service, while Deborah delivered a wonderful poem and his oldest son, Geoffrey, shared memories in a powerful tribute to their father.
“The service featured beautiful music from the Saint Paul’s Church Choir, moving tributes, readings affirming our Christian hope in a greater life after death, and a wonderful sermon offered by Father Dan Langdon-Griffiths in honour of ‘my Bond’, his childhood hero,” Father Walter said.
In a Tweet, Dame Joan Collins commented that the church service was “a beautiful and loving service for one of the great Saints, Knights and Gents of our time”.
Sir Roger, a long-time resident of Monaco, was a frequent and discreet lunchtime guest at Bouchon, the restaurant on avenue Princesse Grace, always in the company of his wife.
The actor will be remembered by many of his admirers as a kind and gentle man, as well as the perfect swashbuckling embodiment of Bond, and like the famous character he played, never short of a suitable word or wisecrack.
As current Bond character Daniel Craig wrote in a tribute to Sir Roger, the longest serving 007: “Nobody does it better,” referring to the theme song of The Spy Who Loved Me.
READ ALSO