During the emotional funeral procession for rock legend Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham today, his daughter Kelly paid a poignant tribute by donning her late father’s distinctive purple-tinted spectacles.
The 40-year-old television personality was visibly moved as she supported her grieving mother Sharon alongside siblings Jack and Aimee at the Black Sabbath Bridge memorial.
Observant fans quickly recognised the significance of Kelly’s choice to wear the circular sunglasses that had become synonymous with the heavy metal icon throughout his career.
The subtle gesture spoke volumes about their close relationship, as Kelly struggled with tears whilst comforting her mother and embracing her young son Sid during the public farewell.
The touching memorial detail emerged as thousands gathered to honour the Birmingham-born musician who passed away last week aged 76.
The Osbourne family assembled at the specially designated Black Sabbath Bridge and bench area, where hundreds of floral arrangements left by devoted fans had created an impromptu memorial.
Sharon Osbourne, who had been married to the rock star for 43 years, appeared overwhelmed by grief and required physical support from her children on both sides.
The widow was observed wearing her late husband’s wedding band on a chain around her neck, another personal tribute noted by mourners.
Kelly and Jack flanked their mother as she placed her own flowers amongst the sea of tributes, with the family acknowledging the massive crowds by making peace signs.
Ozzy’s eldest son Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, also joined the family group at the memorial site.
The special connection between Ozzy and Kelly had been publicly acknowledged by the rock star himself, who once declared to Rolling Stone magazine that Kelly was his “favourite child”.
When questioned whether his other children Jack and Aimee were aware of this preference, Ozzy responded candidly: “Oh, they know it! Me and Kelly, we’re like two peas in a pod!”
Their unique bond extended beyond family life into professional collaboration, with the pair recording a duet version of Changes in 2003 that reached number one in the charts.
The Birmingham-born musician, who fathered five children in total, had spoken openly about the particularly close relationship he shared with Kelly throughout his life.
The funeral cortege commenced at 1pm, with six Mercedes cars and a Jaguar hearse accompanied by police motorcycle outriders travelling through Birmingham city centre.
Bostin’ Brass band led the procession, performing instrumental versions of Black Sabbath classics including Iron Man and Crazy Train as the vehicles made their way along Broad Street.
The hearse displayed purple floral arrangements spelling out Ozzy and had earlier passed the musician’s childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, where the current residents had placed a photograph of the star in their front window.
Crowds had begun assembling hours before the scheduled start time, with devoted fans lining the entire route to the Black Sabbath Bridge bench.
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Birmingham City Council coordinated the procession arrangements with the Osbourne family, who covered all associated expenses.
