David Hockney, the celebrated British artist, declined an offer to be buried at Westminster Abbey, choosing instead to be laid to rest in his native Yorkshire. The offer reportedly came after Hockney completed a stained glass window for the Abbey in 2018, marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 65-year reign. Known as The Queen’s Window, the vibrant landscape design was created by Hockney using his iPad.

Hockney, who passed away at his London home on Friday at the age of 88 following a series of strokes, expressed that while he was honored by the invitation, his “heart, soul and body” would remain in Yorkshire. A close friend of the Bradford-born artist confirmed that Hockney was “a true Yorkshireman” and wished to be buried there alongside family members. His mother, Laura, who died in 1999, is buried in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, as is his sister Margaret, who passed away earlier this year.

Funeral arrangements indicate that a private ceremony will take place in Yorkshire within the next two weeks. A larger memorial service is scheduled for approximately two months later at Westminster Abbey, which is expected to draw numerous guests, including notable friends like Sir Mick Jagger.

King Charles expressed his sadness at Hockney’s death, describing him as “a giant of the world of art and painting," a Yorkshireman “through and through,” as well as “a dear friend and inspiration to so many.” Artist Dame Tracey Emin also paid tribute, calling Hockney “a great artist and a wonderful man” who transformed perceptions of British identity through his work. She highlighted his pride in his identity, referring to him as “a proud chain-smoking homosexual who flew the flag higher than any other British artist.”

Over a career spanning seven decades, Hockney earned acclaim for his vibrant landscapes and portraits, with some of his most recognizable works depicting sunlit swimming pools in Los Angeles, where he lived for a time. His 1972 painting, Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), fetched $90.3 million at auction in 2018, setting a record price for a living artist’s work at that time.

Had he accepted burial at Westminster Abbey, Hockney would have joined more than 3,300 distinguished individuals interred there, including monarchs such as Edward the Confessor, Queen Elizabeth I, and Mary, Queen of Scots, as well as cultural figures like Charles Dickens, Benjamin Britten, John Gielgud, and Laurence Olivier. Instead, he chose to rest in the region that shaped his identity and personal history.