Heartbroken Fergie quotes the Queen at Lisa Marie Presley's funeral

Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson was overcome by emotion as she delivered a speech at her friend Lisa Marie Presley's funeral on Sunday, with the Duchess of York quoting her 'late mother-in-law' the Queen during the service.

Lisa Marie, the only daughter of Elvis Presley, died aged 54 on January 12 after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home.

Thousands gathered at her public funeral at the Graceland estate in Memphis, where the singer was buried alongside her father and son Benjamin, who died in 2020.

Fergie shared that it was a "great honour" to speak at the service for her friend, whom she described as "extraordinary".

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"You talked about the flames and I think it's time that we all need to stoke our flames within to do what Joel said, which was to celebrate the extraordinary Lisa Marie," she said. "And I stand here with great honour because we called each other sissy and I've been with you being with you all for all your lives really. And I stand here with great honour."

Fergie continued, mentioning the Queen, "Sissy, this is for you with affection. My late mother-in-law used to say that nothing can be said can begin to take away the anguish and the pain of these moments because grief is the price we pay for love and how right she was.

"Today, we talk about Lisa Marie. We look at Priscilla as a mother to Lisa Marie, we look at Lisa Marie and say you lost a son. Mothers losing children, there are no words for it. So today, we talk about action.

"Action is the way we can go forward, we can light the flame. So for Riley, for Harper and Finley and the entire family, we march forward in support of you. All of us are with you. If you just put out your hand we will be there. I will definitely be there."

Fergie finished by reading an extract written by David Frost for his son George before his death, "I have had my life and enjoyed every second, but as it is, another life has beckoned. It is important to know that I've not gone, and I hope that all you on my light has shone.

"Stay in that sunshine, rest never in the shade. Don't curse my absence as this light you'll evade. I live in the smiles, the moon the stars and sky and I feel eternal pride as I watch you all fly.

"And for my darling children who wonder what to do, just have a wonderful time as I will living through you."

Fergie and Lisa Marie first met in 2009, before Lisa Marie attended Fergie's 50th birthday in London, with a friend telling the Daily Mail, "She’s utterly heartbroken. They were as close as sisters."

"They spoke almost daily on the phone," they added. "This was a precious friendship to both of them, which is why they kept it so private. Lisa Marie didn’t trust many people outside her family but loved Sarah."

Fergie took to Instagram to pay tribute to Lisa Marie after her passing, writing, "I say hello to you everyday and I love you my sissy and I will continue to say hello to you everyday. You were my sissy, an amazing mother to Ben, Riley, Harper and Finley and a superbly loving daughter to Priscilla.

"You have been my devoted friend for many years and I am here for your family to support and love them. I am deeply saddened my sissy, you are in my heart."

Lisa Marie's funeral featured performances by Alanis Morissette and Axl Rose and was attended by her family and friends, including Elvis actor Austin Butler.

The singer's three daughters Riley, 33, and twins Finley and Harper, 14, will jointly own Graceland following the passing of their mother. Lisa Marie lived at the estate as a child with her father and mother before the pair split in the early 1970s.

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