Italy honoured its longest serving premier yesterday as Silvio Berlusconi was laid to relaxation throughout a State Funeral – with tears from his younger girlfriend, who sat subsequent to his two ex-wives.

The lifetime of the controversial ­determine, who died aged 86 on Monday, was celebrated within the majestic setting of Milan Cathedral amid a day of nationwide mourning.

Outside the church a crowd of 20,000 individuals watched the funeral on specifically erected maxi-screens.

The coffin of the previous AC Milan boss and chief of the centre-right Forza Italia social gathering was carried into the cathedral amid adoring soccer chants of, “There is only one President” from the plenty of well-wishers.

Attendees included nationwide and social gathering leaders previous and current from throughout the political spectrum, most notably Hungary’s President Viktor Orban.

Berlusconi is survived by his 33-year-old girlfriend, Marta Fascina, who was at his bedside as he succumbed to blood most cancers.

Mr Berlusconi’s kids walked into the service with the scandal-prone billionaire’s brother, Paolo and Ms Fascina.

Despite being Italy’s longest-serving premier, his tenure was usually mired in controversy amid sex-fuelled “bunga bunga” events, underage prostitutes and allegations of corruption.

A one-time cruise ship crooner, media tycoon Mr Berlusconi used his tv networks and immense wealth to launch his lengthy political profession, inspiring each loyalty and loathing.