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Margaret Thatcher funeral: crowds applaud as cortege passes Margaret Thatcher funeral: she is one of us, says bishop
(35 minutes later)
The body of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher was borne with full military honours to St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday, as thousands lined the streets of central London to pay respects on the day of her funeral. The Bishop of London sidestepped the political controversy surrounding Lady Thatcher in his address at her ceremonial funeral at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday.
Draped in a union flag, with a simple wreath of white flowers atop and the tribute "Beloved mother, always in our hearts", it was carried by gun-carriage drawn by six black horses to the cathedral where a congregation of more than 2,300 guests from all over the world was gathered. Acknowledging Thatcher as a divisive political figure, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres told the congregation of 2,300 mourners, led by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh: "After the storm of a life led in the heat of political controversy, there is a great calm. The storm of conflicting opinions centres on the Mrs Thatcher, who became a symbolic figure – even an ism. But the funeral of Margaret Hilda Thatcher is not the time for debate on her legacy." .
The national anthem heralded the arrival of the Queen at St Paul's at 10.45am, her presence elevating Thatcher's ceremonial funeral to that of state funeral in all but name. Chartres, a friend of Thatcher's, went on: "Lying here, she is one of us, subject to the common destiny of all human beings. There is an important place for debating policies and legacy; for assessing the impact of political decisions on the everyday lives of individuals and communities. Parliament held a frank debate last week – but here and today is neither the time nor the place."
It is the first time she has attended the funeral of one of her prime ministers since Sir Winston Churchill's in 1965. "This, at Lady Thatcher's personal request, is a funeral service, not a memorial service with the customary eulogies.
The 1.5-tonne gun carriage, escorted by the Kings troop Royal Horse Artillery, and a tri-service military procession, arrived at the cathedral shortly before 11am. "At such a time, the parson should not aspire to the judgments which are proper to the politician; instead this is a place for ordinary human compassion of the kind that is reconciling.
"It is also the place for the simple truths which transcend political debate. And above all it is the place for hope."
The body of Britain's first female prime minister had been borne with full military honours to St Paul's Cathedral as thousands lined the streets of central London to pay respects.
Draped in a union flag, with a simple wreath of white flowers atop and the tribute "Beloved mother, always in our hearts", it was carried by gun-carriage drawn by six black horses, to the cathedral where a congregation from all over the world were gathered.
A gun salute was fired for each and every minute of the procession, while a single half-muffled bell at St Paul's tolled.
The national anthem heralded the arrival of the Queen at St Paul's at 10.45am, her presence elevating Thatcher's ceremonial funeral to that of state funeral in all but name. It was the first time she has attended the funeral of one of her prime ministers since Sir Winston Churchill's in 1965.
She was welcomed by lord mayor of the City of London. Roger Gifford, the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Chartres.
Thatcher's American granddaughter, Amanda, 19, read from St James's Bible, Ephesians 6: 10-18, while the prime minister, David Cameron, gave the second reading, John 14: 1-6, "
The choir sang the Sentences, which had been sung below St Paul's famous dome on many occasions, including at Lord Nelson's funeral.
Giving the bidding, the dean of St Paul's, said the congregation was gathered to remember Thatcher and commend her into God's hands.
"We recall with great gratitude her leadership of this nation, her courage, her steadfastness, and her resolve to accomplish what she believed to be right for the common good".
The service, planned many years ago in consultation with Thatcher, and with her relatives since, was traditional and simple.
Lady Thatcher chose the hymn He Who Would Valiant Be, while the Charles Wesley hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling reflected the influence of her Methodist upbringing, and the final hymn, the patriotic verse I Vow To Thee My Country.
The organ played Psalm 84, set to the music of Johannes Brahms, which is the same piece Lady Thatcher chose to be played at the funeral of her husband, Sir Denis Thatcher, in 2003.
The 1.5-tonne gun carriage, escorted by the Kings troop Royal Horse Artillery, and a tri-service military procession, had arrived at the cathedral shortly before 11am.
The crowd applauded as the cortege made its way along the Strand past Fleet Street and up Ludgate Hill to the cathedral. Some booing too could be heard, with a handful of protesters turning their backs as the coffin went past. Angry exchanges broke out between supporters and demonstrators as the gun carriage made its way along the Strand.The crowd applauded as the cortege made its way along the Strand past Fleet Street and up Ludgate Hill to the cathedral. Some booing too could be heard, with a handful of protesters turning their backs as the coffin went past. Angry exchanges broke out between supporters and demonstrators as the gun carriage made its way along the Strand.
A single gun was fired in salute from Tower Wharf for each minute of the procession as the muffled bell of St Paul's tolled.A single gun was fired in salute from Tower Wharf for each minute of the procession as the muffled bell of St Paul's tolled.
Thatcher's children, Sir Mark Thatcher and his twin sister Carol, had arrived just after 10.30am, as the procession was making its way to St Paul's. They were accompanied by the former premier's grandchildren, Michael and Amanda.Thatcher's children, Sir Mark Thatcher and his twin sister Carol, had arrived just after 10.30am, as the procession was making its way to St Paul's. They were accompanied by the former premier's grandchildren, Michael and Amanda.
A Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, alongside the Band of the Welsh Guards and Massed Corps of Drums plus Drum Major of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, met the funeral procession at St Paul's as the coffin was carried by a bearer party up the steps lined with Chelsea Pensioners.A Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, alongside the Band of the Welsh Guards and Massed Corps of Drums plus Drum Major of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, met the funeral procession at St Paul's as the coffin was carried by a bearer party up the steps lined with Chelsea Pensioners.
Thatcher had left parliament for the last time at 10am as her coffin was taken by hearse from the crypt of St Mary Undercroft, where it rested overnight, to the RAF church of St Clement Danes in the Strand .Thatcher had left parliament for the last time at 10am as her coffin was taken by hearse from the crypt of St Mary Undercroft, where it rested overnight, to the RAF church of St Clement Danes in the Strand .
The cortege drove slowly through the cordoned off streets in central London, past Westminster Abbey and into Parliament Square.The cortege drove slowly through the cordoned off streets in central London, past Westminster Abbey and into Parliament Square.
Big Ben fell silent, but crowds applauded as the hearse passed the Cenotaph and Downing Street, the home she inhabited for 11 years – the longest tenure of any modern British prime minister.Big Ben fell silent, but crowds applauded as the hearse passed the Cenotaph and Downing Street, the home she inhabited for 11 years – the longest tenure of any modern British prime minister.
With a police motorcycle escort, the cortege drove past Trafalgar Square – where the poll tax demonstrations, which had a profound impact on her government, took place.With a police motorcycle escort, the cortege drove past Trafalgar Square – where the poll tax demonstrations, which had a profound impact on her government, took place.
Her coffin was borne into St Clement Danes and placed in the centre of the church. Her coffin was borne into St Clement Danes and placed in the centre of the church.
Prayers were said before it was transferred to the gun carriage for the military procession to St Paul's. Prayers were said before it was transferred to the gun carriage for the military procession to St Paul's.
Outside the cathedral, many hundreds of spectators stood in the light drizzle and amid a sea of union flags, some of whom had camped out overnight to witness the event.Outside the cathedral, many hundreds of spectators stood in the light drizzle and amid a sea of union flags, some of whom had camped out overnight to witness the event.
Dignitaries from 170 countries are attending the 11am service, Downing Street said, included 11 serving prime ministers, and 17 serving foreign ministers from across the globe. Dignitaries from 170 countries are attending the service, Downing Street said, included 11 serving prime ministers, and 17 serving foreign ministers from across the globe.
Union flags and national flags of the UK were lowered to half mast above Downing Street and at landmark buildings around the UK at 8am, and will remain so until dusk.Union flags and national flags of the UK were lowered to half mast above Downing Street and at landmark buildings around the UK at 8am, and will remain so until dusk.
As critics condemned the scale and cost of the ceremonial, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, said it would cost "much, much less", than a reported £10m. Downing Street has said the cost to the public purse would be published after the event. Maude said: "The costs will be a fraction of what is being banded around." An undisclosed proportion is to be borne by the former prime minister's estate.
The congregation had begun arriving before 9am, when the cathedral's doors opened. Early arrivals included broadcaster Terry Wogan and the Duchess of York.The congregation had begun arriving before 9am, when the cathedral's doors opened. Early arrivals included broadcaster Terry Wogan and the Duchess of York.
Sir Geoffrey Howe, Thatcher's ex-chancellor who many believe played a significant role in her eventual political downfall, was in attendance, as well as the current chancellor, George Osborne, Tory grandee Ken Clarke and the London mayor, Boris Johnson. Johnson said outside: "Even for her fans and supporters like me, I don't think we expected to see quite so many people turn up to show their affection and their respect for Margaret Thatcher. It is a quite astonishing crowd." Sir Geoffrey Howe, Thatcher's ex-chancellor who many believe played a significant role in her eventual political downfall, was in attendance, as well as the current chancellor, George Osborne, Tory grandee Ken Clarke and the London mayor, Boris Johnson.
Former prime ministers John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown arrived shortly before 10am as did former party leaders David Steel and David Owen. The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, was among foreign dignitaries. Guests also included the classical singer Katherine Jenkins.Former prime ministers John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown arrived shortly before 10am as did former party leaders David Steel and David Owen. The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, was among foreign dignitaries. Guests also included the classical singer Katherine Jenkins.
Thatcher's body had rested overnight at the chapel of St Mary Undercroft at the Palace of Westminster where MPs, peers, and those who had worked with her were able to pay their respects following a short private service. Other Guests included the Labour leader, Ed Milliband, the deputy prime minister and Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, Lady Warsi, chief secretary to the Treasury, and former Tory Party chairman Norman Tebbit.
Senior military figures at the service included the defence secretary, Philip Hammond, the chief of the defence staff, General Sir David Richards, the first sea lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, and the chief of the general staff, General Sir Peter Wall.
In an interview for the BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, David Cameron defended the ceremonial funeral as a fitting tribute to a major national figure, and urged political opponents to show respect during the event. "I think other countries in the world would think Britain had got it completely wrong if we didn't mark this in a proper way," he said.In an interview for the BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, David Cameron defended the ceremonial funeral as a fitting tribute to a major national figure, and urged political opponents to show respect during the event. "I think other countries in the world would think Britain had got it completely wrong if we didn't mark this in a proper way," he said.
He added Britain's first female prime minister had created a new consensus during her time in power. "In a way, we are all Thatcherties now," he said.He added Britain's first female prime minister had created a new consensus during her time in power. "In a way, we are all Thatcherties now," he said.
As the numbers outside St Paul's swelled to several thousand, protesters were thin on the ground. Most were there to pay tribute, and some had travelled from afar. After the service, the coffin will travel by hearse to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and a private cremation at Mortlake crematorium will take place in the evening.
Scotland Yard said three men were arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of criminal damage in the City of London. After the service, the coffin will travel by hearse to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and a private cremation at Mortlake crematorium will take place in the evening.