WORLD famous interior designer David Hicks went to his grave in the style he demanded.

Mr Hicks, of The Grove, Brightwell Baldwin, who died last week, aged 69, was buried in the south Oxfordshire village on Saturday following a funeral service in the 15th century flint church of St Mary the Virgin in Ewelme two miles away.

The famous designer to the aristocracy had planned the event down to the last detail, and his wishes were followed to the letter by his widow, Lady Pamela, daughter of the late Earl Mountbatten.

The coffin was handmade to his specifications out of sycamore by former shipbuilders Thorneycrofts of Southampton, lined in plastic and painted grey.

A drape emblazoned with his initials and coat of arms covered the coffin, and a flag, also featuring his coat of arms, was fixed to the Range Rover which led the cortege.

His pallbearers included his gardeners and the warden, clerk and beadle of the Worshipful Company of Salters, of which he was a past master.

Members of the company wore vermillion robes with brown fur collars and blue trim designed by Mr Hicks.

Mr Hicks, who also leaves a daughter, India, a model, and son, Ashley, a London architect, met the Rector of Ewelme and Brightwell Baldwin, the Rev Martin Garner, a week before he died to make certain that all his wishes were kept.

The 150 mourners included the Duke of Kent, and a eulogy was given by his friend, the art dealer, Christopher Gibbs.

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