The Queen has led mourners in St Paul’s Cathedral at the funeral of Baroness Thatcher, Britain’s longest serving prime minister of modern times. More than 2,000 dignitaries from around the world paid their last respect at the biggest such occasion since the Queen’s own mother’s funeral in 2002.
Lady Thatcher’s coffin was carried through streets lined by mourners and members of the three armed forces. PM David Cameron said it was a “fitting tribute” to a major figure.
Four thousand police officers are on duty in central London, which saw large crowds along the route of her funeral procession, which was conducted with full military honours. There were reports of some protests but not the large demonstrations some had predicted. In fact the noise of protest was drowned out by the clapping coming from the crowd.
The congregation at St Paul’s included Lady Thatcher’s family and all surviving British prime ministers, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Sir John Major, the current cabinet and surviving members of Lady Thatcher’s governments,
There were tears, and occasional laughter, as the Bishop of London, Right Reverend Richard Chartres paid tribute to her forthright character in a simple service, which, at Lady Thatcher’s personal request, did not include any eulogies.
“After the storm of a life led in the heat of political controversy, there is a great calm,” said The Right Reverend Chartres.
“The storm of conflicting opinions centres on the Mrs Thatcher who became a symbolic figure – even an ism.
“Today the remains of the real Margaret Hilda Thatcher are here at her funeral service.
“Lying here, she is one of us, subject to the common destiny of all human beings.”
“But when you’re mourning the passing of an 87-year-old woman who was the first woman prime minister, who served for longer in the job than anyone for 150 years I think it’s appropriate to show respect.”
In total, two current heads of state, 11 serving prime ministers and 17 serving foreign ministers from around the world attended. Notable absences were former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who could not attend due to ill health, and former US first lady Nancy Reagan, who was also unable to come.
Written By Allied Newsdesk
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