Queen Elizabeth leads Baroness Thatcher’s funeral

OHMYGOSSIP — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip lead the way at Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s funeral at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday (17.04.13), where a military ceremony was carried out to honour the late former Prime Minister.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth lead the way at Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s funeral yesterday (17.04.13). The monarch paid tribute to the former British Prime Minister – who passed away last week aged 87 after suffering a stroke – by breaking with tradition to make an appearance at the military ceremony in St Paul’s Cathedral in London

The queen and her husband Prince Philip, 91, arrived ten minutes before the arrival of the coffin, being lead in to the house of worship by the Lord Mayor and his Mourning Sword.

Despite historically not being allowed to attend non-royal funerals, the couple make an exception to honour the controversial Conservative Party leader. The only other time she had been a part of such an event was for Winston Churchill’s memorial service in 1965.

Thatcher was the queen’s eighth and longest-serving prime minister over the course of her lengthy reign.

Sarah Ferguson – who is Prince Andrew’s ex-wife and mother to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie – was also amongst the 2,300 guests to pay her respects to the late politician, who she was especially close to.

She arrived shortly after the cathedral doors opened at 9.15am.

Sarah – known affectionately as Fergie – commented at the time of her death last Monday (08.04.13): “I was fortunate enough to get to know her from the time that she attended my wedding in 1986, and, subsequently, I shared numerous cups of tea with her, and loved to listen to her wisdom.

“Margaret Thatcher will be greatly missed. She is part of all our history and was such a strong and consistent lady.”

Prime Minister David Cameron, opera singer Katherine Jenkins and actress Joan Collins were also in attendance.