Thatcher funeral's military pomp raises concerns at Buckingham Palace
Posted in Barones Thatcher
Questions raised over appropriateness of such a divisive figure being escorted on her final journey by military honours
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Margaret Thatcher's
coffin will be drawn on a gun carriage from St Clement Danes church –
the church of the Royal Air Force in the Strand – to St Paul's
cathedral. Photograph: Tim Graham/Getty
Buckingham Palace raised concerns about the ceremonial funeral with military
honours for Lady Thatcher that is to be attended on Wednesday by the
Queen and more than 2,000 guests including every surviving British prime
minister, the Guardian understands.
As invitations were sent out to world leaders, including all surviving US presidents and Hillary Clinton, it emerged that concerns were expressed at the highest levels about whether it is appropriate for such a controversial figure to be escorted on her final journey by more than 700 military personnel.
In discussions about the funeral held over recent years it is understood that questions were raised by senior figures about whether it is right to associate the military with such a divisive figure, according to a well-placed Whitehall source.
It is understood that there were fears that the British tradition, in which the monarchy
rather than politicians are associated with ceremonial aspects of the
military, could be called into question. Thatcher's coffin will be drawn
on a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from St
Clement Danes church – the church of the Royal Air Force in the Strand –
to St Paul's cathedral.
As invitations were sent out to world leaders, including all surviving US presidents and Hillary Clinton, it emerged that concerns were expressed at the highest levels about whether it is appropriate for such a controversial figure to be escorted on her final journey by more than 700 military personnel.
In discussions about the funeral held over recent years it is understood that questions were raised by senior figures about whether it is right to associate the military with such a divisive figure, according to a well-placed Whitehall source.
It is understood that there were fears that the British tradition, in which the monarchy
rather than politicians are associated with ceremonial aspects of the
military, could be called into question. Thatcher's coffin will be drawn
on a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from St
Clement Danes church – the church of the Royal Air Force in the Strand –
to St Paul's cathedral.
