Everest legend Hillary honoured

The Queen has attended a memorial service for New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary.

Sir Edmund, who died of a heart attack on January 11, aged 88, scaled Everest - the world's highest mountain - with Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953.

The Queen was accompanied to the service at St George's chapel, Windsor Castle, by the Princess Royal and the Countess of Wessex, after the Duke of Edinburgh was taken ill with a cold.

The congregation included Sir Edmund's wife Lady June Hillary and their children, surviving members of the British expedition to the Himalayas, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick and singer Hayley Westenra.

The monarch's association with Sir Edmund stretches back to the announcement that he and Norgay had conquered Everest on the eve of her coronation, June 2, 1953.

The Queen hosted lunch for Miss Clark and Lady June Hillary after the service.

As Sir Edmund was a Knight of the Garter, the service included the "laying up" of his banner in St George's chapel.

After his ascent of Everest, Sir Edmund led an expedition to find the source of the Yangtze River and made a successful land crossing of the Antarctic.

He also devoted much of his time to improving the lives of Nepal's Sherpas, setting up the Himalayan Foundation and raising millions of pounds to fund development in the Everest region.

Norbu Tenzing Norgay, 45, the son of Sir Edmund's famous guide, whose picture he took on the summit, said it was a great honour to represent his father.

"Sir Edmund Hillary was like a father figure for the Sherpas. He was held in high reverence. He's had a huge impact on the transformation of the lives of two generations of Sherpas.

"His loss is like losing a family member. We are here to celebrate his life because of everything he has done for us."

Sir Edmund was a "rough cut diamond" according to one of the men who joined him on the Everest expedition.

George Band, 79, from Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, was 24 when he was selected for the famous ascent.

He said he remembered Sir Edmund "very vividly".

"He was a very tough, very fit swarthy man. He was a rough cut diamond.

"He was a great chap and it is a great honour to be here."

Around 500 people listened to the service on speakers set up outside the chapel. A lucky few, selected by ballot, were invited inside. It was also carried live on New Zealand television.

Sir Edmund's ashes were scattered into the sea by his family in a private ceremony in his native country.

He was also given a full state funeral attended by Sherpas, Buddhist monks and dignitaries from around the world.

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