Widowed Celine Dion: He will always be with me

Singer Celine Dion.

Celine Dion "truly believes" her late husband will "always be with her".

The My Heart Will Go On hitmaker was left devastated when spouse René Angélil lost his battle with cancer last week but the singer is taking comfort from her belief the music manager's spirit will always be watching over her and their kids, René-Charles, 15, and 5-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson.

Her friend and stylist Annie Horth told People magazine: "I know Celine truly believes that he will eternally be with her and with the kids through everything."

Despite her heartbreak, Dion is putting on a brave face for the sake of her children and helping them deal with their grief.

Celine Dion with her husband Rene Angelil, 2010. Photo / AP

A source said: "She's extremely heartbroken. But she's very good at and has always been about putting on a brave face.

"[The children] are obviously grieving. René-Charles being a teenager has had a more difficult time with the situation than the twins, who are so young."

The Power of Love singer admitted last year she was doing her best to stay strong as her spouse's health declined for the sake of her family.

She said: "My kids need me a lot, my husband needs me and I need to keep going.

"If I'm too withdrawn, I don't think my family will overcome that. I have to show myself, my husband and my kids [that] I am strong and we're OK."

Angélil - who had been battling throat cancer since 2013 - will be laid to rest today.

- Bang! Showbiz