Michael Jackson's children bid farewell to father

In a poignant tribute to Michael Jackson, his three children bid adieu to their father during the private burial ceremony today by placing a crown on his gold plated casket, honouring the artiste better known as the 'King of Pop'.

Prince Michael, 12, Paris Katherine, 11 and Prince Michael II, 7 also known as Blanket, were dressed in sombre black for the ceremony which took place ten weeks after the death of the pop legend.

The three youngsters also put in handwritten messages in the glittering gold coffin.

They occupied the front row at the ceremony along with their grandparents Katherine and Joe Jackson, but as the hearse was taken into the crypt Paris broke into tears.

The flower-laden coffin adorned with the crown carried Michael Jackson to his final resting place after the ceremony which was attended by around 200 guests including Elizabeth Taylor, Lisa Marie Presley and Macaulay Culkin.

The 'Thriller' hitmaker's casket will be placed in a private section of the crypt that is also home to some of the most famous names from Hollywood's golden age such as Clark Gable, Walt Disney, Humphrey Bogart and Nat King Cole.

Security was tight at the service, with police setting up a wide perimeter around the park, but fans collected near the barricades with flowers and banners in memory of their idol.