Last Sunday, it was announced that Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery's fiancé John Dineen died at the age of 34 after battling a rare form of cancer. On Wednesday, Dockery paid tribute to Dineen at his funeral in Cork Ireland, The Irish Times reports. To say her words are touching is an understatement. She said at St. James' Church in Ballinora,
Whether in his work or his personal life John was extremely loyal. It was clear that when John was in your corner he was there. I was honored to know John. To love him and be loved by him. He was my friend, my king, my hero, my everything. We celebrate him, we honor him and we will miss him.
The two met in 2013 and were introduced by Dineen's longtime friend and Dockery's Downton co-star Allen Leech. Clearly, they had a strong connection as the 34-year-old actress said at the funeral,
John’s charm was legendary. He could persuade anyone to do what he wanted in the least pushy way possible. Particularly the women. He had a presence that was electric when he came in to the room. He had a wicked sense of humor. He had a genuine interest in other people.
People reports that in addition to Dockery's emotional words, she also sang Dineen's favorite song, Oscar Hammerstein's "The Folks Who Live on the Hill," at the service. There's no doubt that Dockery's tribute was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
