Image: OÖNGrafik
Long before 8 a.m., many people gathered at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to pay their last respects to the architect. The family received the red coffin at the giant gate before it was carried into the cathedral to lie in state. Daughter Jacqueline Lugner was accompanied by her husband Leo Lugner and her mother Christina Lugner, the entrepreneur’s ex-wife.
- Farewell to Richard “Mörtel” Lugner: We report in the live blog
Simone Lugner, the property developer’s wife, arrived 20 minutes after the wake began. Also present were former partners such as Anastasia Sokol (“Katzi”) and Nina Bruckner (“Bambi”). Good friends such as the plastic surgeon Artur Worseg and his wife Kristina and astrologer Gerda Rogers also attended the funeral service. After the family – including son Alexander Lugner – and friends had said goodbye at the coffin, cathedral priest Toni Faber began the actual memorial service at 9 a.m. by welcoming the visitors. At Lugner’s request, his legendary Opera Ball top hat was placed on the coffin. In front of it was a large heart made of red roses. The coffin was flanked by the bodyguards who had already accompanied Lugner at the Opera Ball.
Speech by friend Norbert Hofer
At the farewell, the third President of the National Council, Norbert Hofer (FPÖ), who was friends with Lugner, the President of the Lower Austrian State Parliament, Karl Wilfing (ÖVP), and the actress Edith Leyrer will give speeches. Family Minister Susanne Raab (both ÖVP) came to the memorial service on behalf of Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Among the guests were former FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache and the Freedom Party’s ORF Foundation Council member Peter Westenthaler.
At the end of the funeral service at 10 a.m., the coffin will be carried out of the cathedral through the giant gate to the sounds of the fan polonaise – in reference to the opera ball. In front of the church, the architect’s former court orchestra, the Hoch- und Deutschmeister, will then play the Radetzky March for the deceased.
- Read also: Richard Lugner’s last journey begins today at 8 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Image: OÖNGrafik
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Image: OÖNGrafik
Source: Nachrichten
