Raffaella Carrà, Italian cultural institution and LGBT icon, laid to rest in Rome

Thousands in streets to mourn television star, actor and singer as funeral is broadcast live on TV

In Italy's week of mourning for Raffaella Carra, one image summed up her universal appeal: a rainbow flag - the symbol of the LGBT movement - next to her coffin in a Catholic church.

Carra, who died on Monday aged 78, was a cultural institution in her home country and regarded as its best-loved woman". The queen of light-entertainment TV, she also acted and topped the music charts of Europe and South America with pioneering, sex-positive pop music.