Falklands War units to play role in Thatcher funeral
All three Armed Services are to play a role Baroness Thatcher's funeral with particular reference to the Falklands conflict.
Baroness Thatcher's death dominates the front pages
The death of Baroness Thatcher dominates all of the UK newspaper front pages today.
Baroness Thatcher dies aged 87 following a stroke
Baroness Thatcher, who was Britain's prime minister for over a decade, has died today aged 87 after suffering a stroke, her family said.
Live updates
Queen watches on as coffin leaves St Paul's
Thatcher's grandchildren walk ahead of the coffin
The eight pall-bearers who carried the casket into the Cathedral were drawn from Army units, Royal Navy ships and RAF stations with links to the Falklands war, commanded by Major Nick Mott of the Welsh Guards who served in the 1982 conflict.
Lady Thatcher's grandchildren Michael and Amanda walked ahead of the coffin as it entered the cathedral, carrying cushions bearing the insignia of the Order of the Garter and Order of Merit, which were laid on the altar.
Advertisement
Costs of funeral are a 'fraction' of what people think
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, the man responsible for organising Thatcher's funeral, said the costs are a "fraction" of the figures being "banded around".
Speaking to Daybreak he said: "The state will always pay for the costs of the funeral and memorial of a former Prime Minister and Margaret Thatcher was very adamant she did not want to have a separate memorial service.
"So this is the one occasion when people will get their chance to pay their respects, give her a send off and commemorate what was, by any exception, a really remarkable life."
Falklands War units to play role in Thatcher funeral
All three Armed Services are to play a role Baroness Thatcher's funeral with particular reference to the Falklands conflict.
Read the full storyBaroness Thatcher's funeral set to cost '£10 million'
The funeral of Baroness Thatcher, which is being planned by a special Cabinet Office committee under the name ‘Operation True Blue’, will reportedly cost around £10 million.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude yesterday said MoD, the police, Number 10, Parliamentary authorities, the Thatcher family and the Conservative Party were in involved in planning the ceremony.
It will be the biggest security operation since the Olympics, according to The Sun, as fears mount that protestors could attempt to disrupt proceedings.
The Guardian says the threat of Irish republic terrorists are under the spotlight.
The Independent reports that social media and internet forums are being monitored for potential troublemakers.
Read - Margaret Thatcher's ceremonial funeral to be held at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday
Farage: Thatcher 'fundamentally changed my life'
UKIP leader Nigel Farage has signed a book of condolence for Baroness Thatcher in her hometown Grantham and said the former Prime Minister had "fundamentally changed my life."
Advertisement
Queen to honour Thatcher by attending funeral
The Queen will honour Baroness Thatcher, her longest serving prime minister, and attend the funeral of the woman who changed the face of modern British politics.
Political Correspondent Libby Wiener reports:
Maude: Thatcher funeral ‘should meet family needs’
The funeral of Baroness Thatcher should be in accordance with what her family wants, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude has said.
The family have been involved over a long period.
We’ve been concerned throughout that they should be involved and that the arrangements that are made – which obviously involve huge numbers of people and a wide range of organisations - should be in accordance with what the family themselves want.
Although people all around the world and particularly those who knew her well are feeling a loss today, the people who feel the greatest loss are clearly their family.
Flowers left outside Margaret Thatcher's Grantham shop
'It takes a Grantham girl to sort them out'
Today's top stories
