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Margaret Thatcher's funeral to involve more than 700 military personnel Margaret Thatcher's funeral to involve more than 700 military personnel
(6 months later)
The coffin bearing Lady Thatcher's body will be carried through central London to her funeral service in a horsedrawn gun carriage attended by an honour guard of more than 700 military personnel, while gun salutes are fired from the Tower of London, the Ministry of Defence has said.The coffin bearing Lady Thatcher's body will be carried through central London to her funeral service in a horsedrawn gun carriage attended by an honour guard of more than 700 military personnel, while gun salutes are fired from the Tower of London, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The former prime minister may have requested a ceremonial rather than state funeral before her death, but the published arrangements reveal plans for an event involving scarcely less pomp – and one carefully calculated to burnish her image as a military leader and emphasise Britain's victory in the Falklands war.The former prime minister may have requested a ceremonial rather than state funeral before her death, but the published arrangements reveal plans for an event involving scarcely less pomp – and one carefully calculated to burnish her image as a military leader and emphasise Britain's victory in the Falklands war.
While 2,400 invited guests – ranging from foreign dignitaries and political leaders to staff from the Ritz hotel, where she died on Monday – await the arrival of the funeral cortege at St Paul's cathedral, representatives of the army, navy and air force wearing full ceremonial dress will line the half-mile (1km) route from St Clement Danes church in the Strand, attended by military bands, their drums covered in black cloth.While 2,400 invited guests – ranging from foreign dignitaries and political leaders to staff from the Ritz hotel, where she died on Monday – await the arrival of the funeral cortege at St Paul's cathedral, representatives of the army, navy and air force wearing full ceremonial dress will line the half-mile (1km) route from St Clement Danes church in the Strand, attended by military bands, their drums covered in black cloth.
A number of political figures have already confirmed they plan to attend, following the announcement on Tuesday that the Queen would be attending her first prime ministerial funeral since Winston Churchill's. Both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have confirmed they will be at the funeral with their wives.A number of political figures have already confirmed they plan to attend, following the announcement on Tuesday that the Queen would be attending her first prime ministerial funeral since Winston Churchill's. Both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have confirmed they will be at the funeral with their wives.
The White House is understood not yet to have finalised its plans with regard to the funeral, while a spokesman for Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, said an official delegation would not be sent. Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is expected to attend, however.The White House is understood not yet to have finalised its plans with regard to the funeral, while a spokesman for Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, said an official delegation would not be sent. Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is expected to attend, however.
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, will sign a book of condolence at the British embassy in Berlin on Thursday, but has yet to decide whether she or Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, will attend, according to a spokesman. India's ministry of foreign affairs said it, too, was yet to decide.Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, will sign a book of condolence at the British embassy in Berlin on Thursday, but has yet to decide whether she or Germany's president, Joachim Gauck, will attend, according to a spokesman. India's ministry of foreign affairs said it, too, was yet to decide.
Asked if it would send a representative, a spokesman for the Argentinian foreign ministry said: "We have no information about that, but we know that it is scheduled for next week."Asked if it would send a representative, a spokesman for the Argentinian foreign ministry said: "We have no information about that, but we know that it is scheduled for next week."
Ten members of staff from the Ritz hotel, where Thatcher died, have been invited as a mark of thanks for the care she received there. The 87-year-old had been staying at the five-star hotel since Christmas.Ten members of staff from the Ritz hotel, where Thatcher died, have been invited as a mark of thanks for the care she received there. The 87-year-old had been staying at the five-star hotel since Christmas.
Those most closely involved in the funeral procession have been selected from regiments particularly associated with the Falklands war, the Ministry of Defence said.Those most closely involved in the funeral procession have been selected from regiments particularly associated with the Falklands war, the Ministry of Defence said.
The gun carriage, drawn by six horses, will be accompanied along the funeral route by a bearer party consisting of 10 soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Scots Guards, Welsh Guards, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Parachute Regiment, Royal Gurkha Rifles and the RAF – all regiments that were closely involved in the conflict.The gun carriage, drawn by six horses, will be accompanied along the funeral route by a bearer party consisting of 10 soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Scots Guards, Welsh Guards, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Parachute Regiment, Royal Gurkha Rifles and the RAF – all regiments that were closely involved in the conflict.
A guard of honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will await outside the cathedral, while 18 further service personnel, along with a number of Chelsea Pensioners, will line its steps. For the duration of the procession, a gun will be fired each minute from Tower Wharf at the Tower of London.A guard of honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will await outside the cathedral, while 18 further service personnel, along with a number of Chelsea Pensioners, will line its steps. For the duration of the procession, a gun will be fired each minute from Tower Wharf at the Tower of London.
In total, 30 officers, each wearing a black crepe armband, will take part in the procession, and 725 members of other ranks. There will, however, be no military flypast, in accordance with Thatcher's wishes, the MoD said.In total, 30 officers, each wearing a black crepe armband, will take part in the procession, and 725 members of other ranks. There will, however, be no military flypast, in accordance with Thatcher's wishes, the MoD said.
A committee chaired by the Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude, and comprising representatives of Thatcher, officials from No 10, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Office and the Metropolitan police, will meet daily before the funeral to finalise plans for the ceremony.A committee chaired by the Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude, and comprising representatives of Thatcher, officials from No 10, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Office and the Metropolitan police, will meet daily before the funeral to finalise plans for the ceremony.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said formal invitations to the funeral were likely to be issued on Thursday , when further details of those invited may be announced.A Downing Street spokeswoman said formal invitations to the funeral were likely to be issued on Thursday , when further details of those invited may be announced.
The guest list was drawn up by Thatcher's family and executors according to her wishes before she died. It would comprise family and friends of the late politician, those who had worked closely with her, and representatives of groups with which she had been involved, the spokeswoman said, adding that the government had advised the family on inviting foreign dignitaries and other matters of protocol.The guest list was drawn up by Thatcher's family and executors according to her wishes before she died. It would comprise family and friends of the late politician, those who had worked closely with her, and representatives of groups with which she had been involved, the spokeswoman said, adding that the government had advised the family on inviting foreign dignitaries and other matters of protocol.
Nancy Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev are expected to be among those invited, while the former South African president FW de Klerk confirmed on Tuesday that he and his wife would attend.Nancy Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev are expected to be among those invited, while the former South African president FW de Klerk confirmed on Tuesday that he and his wife would attend.
The prime minister's spokesman said that details of the cost to the taxpayer of the funeral would be announced after the event, and confirmed that the Thatcher family would meet some of the expense, adding that it would be up to them to disclose the size of their contribution. Estimates have put the total cost at £8m to £10m.The prime minister's spokesman said that details of the cost to the taxpayer of the funeral would be announced after the event, and confirmed that the Thatcher family would meet some of the expense, adding that it would be up to them to disclose the size of their contribution. Estimates have put the total cost at £8m to £10m.
The foreign secretary, William Hague, defended the cost to the taxpayer of the event, saying Britain could "afford to contribute".The foreign secretary, William Hague, defended the cost to the taxpayer of the event, saying Britain could "afford to contribute".
Speaking to the BBC's Breakfast programme, Hague said: "When it comes to money, the rebate she negotiated for this country from the EU has brought us so far £75bn – which is twice the size of our annual defence budget.Speaking to the BBC's Breakfast programme, Hague said: "When it comes to money, the rebate she negotiated for this country from the EU has brought us so far £75bn – which is twice the size of our annual defence budget.
"I think that puts money in perspective … so I think we can afford to contribute to a funeral.""I think that puts money in perspective … so I think we can afford to contribute to a funeral."
Thousands of members of the public are expected to line the route of the funeral procession – many wishing to pay their respects, but the Metropolitan police said it was also preparing for protests.Thousands of members of the public are expected to line the route of the funeral procession – many wishing to pay their respects, but the Metropolitan police said it was also preparing for protests.
"We are mindful that this occasion has the potential to attract protest," a spokesman said."We are mindful that this occasion has the potential to attract protest," a spokesman said.
"The MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] wishes to speak to anyone who may choose to demonstrate on Wednesday, or in the coming days, so their right to protest can be upheld whilst respecting the rights of Baroness Thatcher's family and those who wish to pay their respects.""The MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] wishes to speak to anyone who may choose to demonstrate on Wednesday, or in the coming days, so their right to protest can be upheld whilst respecting the rights of Baroness Thatcher's family and those who wish to pay their respects."
The Met is working with City of London police and British Transport police on the plans, with the total number of officers involved yet to be finalised.The Met is working with City of London police and British Transport police on the plans, with the total number of officers involved yet to be finalised.
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