These photos just popped up this morning: Benedict Cumberbatch and his comet-wife Sophie Cumberhunterbatch attended “A Service of Thanksgiving for Professor Stephen Hawking at Westminster Abbey.” A memorial service three months after someone’s passing isn’t the same as a funeral, granted, but I would have thought that Sophie would have worn something a bit less… I don’t know? Less colorful, less ‘70s, less Three’s Company.
Hawking passed away in March of this year, and Hawking’s life and work are still being remembered and honored throughout the year. Hawking’s remains were cremated, and the ashes are being placed in Westminster Abbey between the remains of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Here’s a look at Hawking’s memorial stone:
This is the memorial stone which will be placed on top of #StephenHawking's grave. Incised in the stone is Hawking’s most famous equation describing the entropy of a black hole. pic.twitter.com/ClBhsXucVm
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) June 15, 2018
I’m not entirely convinced that Hawking would have wanted this kind of fuss to be made, but then again, it’s not entirely for him – it’s also about the people who loved him. It’s about honoring his legacy too.
As for Benedict… he attended because he played Hawking in a TV movie years ago, and because he’s a long-time ambassador for an ALS charity. He also got to meet Hawking a few times. It’s nice that he and Sophie carved out some time in their schedule for this.
Meanwhile, Benedict has been promoting Patrick Melrose all over the place, but the interviews have all been sort of boring – go here to see a Q&A session he did with Deadline. The Daily Mail recently reported that Benedict has no plans to return to the London stage any time soon, because he has two small children (both boys) and he wants to be a “present” and “involved” father.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
It looks like fancy pajamas. I don’t hate it (for pajamas) but yes, it looks out of place for a memorial service or any kind of outing, actually. These are pajamas ffs.
I do like the shoes but yes, those are pajamas. Ugly pajamas at that. And I would never wear pajamas to a memorial service unless the theme of the memorial service was “Everyone wear pajamas to my memorial service because i want to be remembered for sleepovers.”
Yup Yup, pajamas. And not appropriate for a memorial. And the shoes are cool
It looks like a salwar kameez to me, I would not have a problem with her wearing it to the event but maybe I would have picked more subdued blue and not so patterned. But perhaps the family asked people not to wear funeral colors?
Yes, Hawking’s family specifically requested that everyone wear bright colours, and I believe they may have specified blue because most people appeared to be in bright shades of blue.
Patrick Melrose looks good.
It is. Great work from The Batch but the subject matter is super heavy. I am pacing myself.
It is really fantastic. Great work all around – writing, direction, cinematography, music, editing and performances. BC , and the other leads, supporting performers are pretty much perfect.
But it’s…a lot. The subject matter is heavy and not sugar coated. Well worth getting through though, IMO
though
there is hope for the future for some of the characters.
Yeah, I usually like Sophie’s very individual style but this is horrible. The top with a plain pair of dark trousers would have been fine and more appropriate for a memorial service.
ALS is the biggest piece of shit. My father is currently dying from it. He has bulbar ALS meaning it starts in the mouth. He can’t eat now (has a feeding tube), can barely speak, and is in constant pain. I hate it so much. I have never felt hatred for anything like I feel for this disease.
Stephen Hawking was a remarkable case. A remarkable person all around. For most with ALS, life is short and horrible. I believe many aspects of Hawking’s life was horrible also. I don’t know if everyone will understand this… I was relieved for him when he passed. Just as I will be relieved for my sweet father when it’s over for him also.
I’m so so sorry xx
Thoughts and support for your father, you and your family. ALS is such an horrible disease.
Patricia, I’m so sorry your father and your family are experiencing this terrible tragedy. My prayers are with you all.
I overstand…I wish your Daddy peace…on his next journey….
I’m so sorry that your dad and family have to deal with this.
Thank you all. Kind words mean so much.
I wonder if Eddie Redmayne was there? I never saw The Theory of Everything but it would have been nice of him to attend too (schedule permitting of course).
I think he and Felicity Jones attended the private funeral, don’t know if he was at this memorial.
If you look at pictures of the service, almost everyone is wearing blue.
I wonder if any of the cast of the Big Bang Theory was there, that show really seemed to bring Stephen Hawking and his wonderful humor to a whole new generation of fans.
If you compare photos from the funeral service with the memorial, everyone wore black to the funeral, and bright blue to the memorial. It’s obvious the family requested that people wear blue and bright clothes.
I don’t understand her outfit what so ever. Not for any event. Too many things going on. And then the fit! Whaaat?
I don’t think even pajama’s wrinkle like that…
@Patricia
My heart is yours ~
I have a greater appreciation for the talent of Benedict after watching Patrick Melrose. He did an outstanding job. I’m now a certified fan.
Bendy was actually properly friends with Stephen Hawking – they met during research for the TV film, but it wasn’t just a professional connection. There’s many accounts of them hanging out and drinking together – lots of people mention finding Bendy and Stephen Hawking having margaritas together at house parties. Bendy has admitted spilling Star Trek secrets to him – Hawking was a proper Trekkie.
In the photos I saw there were a lot of bright blues and reds, especially on family members. Too many to be a coincidence.
I don’t have an issue with the color – lots of folks were wearing blue and red at that service.
But personally, I thought if the top half of SHC’s outfit was paired with some smart trousers or a skirt, it would have been better. It wasn’t offensive, just not to my taste. I’ve seen a lot of “event” and “out and about ” looks that echo that look, so maybe it’s in fashion for a certain set? (eg the much of the fashion for the Ocean’s 8 promo…nothing exactly the same, but a lot of unstructured, slouchy stuff)
Just another example, of many, of how it’s so much easier for men to get dressed/choose a wardrobe. Whether it’s women having to wear shoes with heels a min of # inches at Cannes, or being looked up and down for every outfit they choose, a man can always put on a dark suit, dark shoes and any number of dress shirts, ties and look perfectly acceptable with no commentary and be able to walk more than a block without killing their feet.
Why are her arms positioned like she’s about to reach for something no one else can see. This outfit is a no for me and the stringy hair is a double no. I like that Benny chose a women who looks like someone you would see in nature and not a cosmetic surgeon creation.