In a ceremony befitting a state funeral, Britain's longest-serving prime minister of the 20th century, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, was laid to rest on Wednesday morning. Although not officially a state funeral per her wishes, the grandeur and solemnity mirrored one. The service took place at St Paul's Cathedral and was preceded by a procession through London's streets, where thousands of mourners gathered, drawn by horse-drawn carriage.
The emotional service saw the attendance of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, current Prime Minister David Cameron with his wife Samantha, and numerous former leaders. Also present were Lady Thatcher's twins, Mark and Carol, along with dignitaries from 170 countries.
Notable attendees included public figures such as Sarah Ferguson, Joan Collins, Katherine Jenkins, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, joining mourners from around the globe to pay their respects to Baroness Thatcher. The iconic politician, who remains the only female prime minister in Britain’s history, was commemorated for her "leadership, courage, and steadfastness."
A poignant moment came when her 19-year-old granddaughter Amanda, fulfilling her grandmother’s wish, read at the service. Lady Thatcher, famously known as the Iron Lady, had also requested that David Cameron read, which he honored.
Mark and Carol Thatcher offered a more personal tribute to their mother, placing a small card on her coffin's wreath that read, "Beloved Mother - always in our hearts."
This event marked the capital's farewell to a leader who was pivotal in key moments of British history, including the Falklands War, the Miners' Strike, and the conclusion of the Cold War.