Britain Stages Grand Funeral for "Iron Lady" Thatcher
LONDON - London stages its biggest political funeral in almost half a century on Wednesday when Britain's governing elite join the Queen and global leaders to bid farewell to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, known as the "Iron Lady".
In an event comparable to that of Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965, Thatcher's coffin will be carried atop a horse-drawn gun carriage through streets lined with admirers, and some detractors, from parliament to the city's most famous cathedral.
"She was the first woman prime minister, she served for longer in the job than anyone for 150 years, she achieved some extraordinary things in her life," Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of Thatcher's Conservative Party, told BBC radio.
"I think what is happening today is absolutely fitting and right," he said, dismissing concerns by some Thatcher critics about the cost and pomp of the event.
The bells of London's iconic Big Ben clock tower will fall silent in tribute for the first time since Churchill's funeral and more than 700 armed forces personnel will honor a woman who led them to victory in the 1982 Falklands War.
In an event comparable to that of Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965, Thatcher's coffin will be carried atop a horse-drawn gun carriage through streets lined with admirers, and some detractors, from parliament to the city's most famous cathedral.
"She was the first woman prime minister, she served for longer in the job than anyone for 150 years, she achieved some extraordinary things in her life," Prime Minister David Cameron, leader of Thatcher's Conservative Party, told BBC radio.
"I think what is happening today is absolutely fitting and right," he said, dismissing concerns by some Thatcher critics about the cost and pomp of the event.
The bells of London's iconic Big Ben clock tower will fall silent in tribute for the first time since Churchill's funeral and more than 700 armed forces personnel will honor a woman who led them to victory in the 1982 Falklands War.
No comments:
Post a Comment