Britain and the world had said its goodbye, now it was time for those closest to Baroness Thatcher to say a private farewell. To the crowds cheering and applauding her funeral procession earlier in the day, Lady Thatcher was many things; an icon, a leader, and a truly great Briton. But to those who would be the last to say goodbye, she was first and foremost a mother and a grandmother. Her twin children Mark and Carol gathered at Mortlake Crematorium with Lady Thatcher's grandchildren Michael and Amanda to pay their last respects. Lady Thatcher's coffin had earlier been met by cheers as it made its way first from St Mary Undercroft, past Big Ben, before arriving at St Clement Danes Church. There, it was placed on a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery before being taken to St Paul's Cathedral as thousands upon thousands of mourners along the route cheered and held up signs declaring their admiration for Lady Thatcher, who died following a stroke on April 8 at the age of 87. It was the end of an incredible journey which began on October 13, 1925 and would take the grocer's daughter to 10 Downing Street where she would become not only the country's first female Prime Minister but one of its greatest. NA AKAPUMZIKE KWA AMANI 'AMEN"
London's streets were also packed with mourners who broke into spontaneous applause and gave cheers and whistles of support as the coffin passed by.
The emotional crowds threw white roses in the path of the gun carriage that carried Lady Thatcher through the capital, while many of the 2,300 inside St Paul's openly sobbed with Chancellor George Osborne 'overwhelmed'.
Outside on the streets, the predicted protests and disorder failed to materialise, with the few boos drowned out by supporters' applause.
As Big Ben once again started to chime after the 11am service, the procession started its final journey. At exactly 4.30pm, the coffin bearing grocer’s daughter Margaret Hilda Roberts, who rose to become Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, arrived at Mortlake crematorium. Her ashes are due to be interred at the Royal Hospital Chelsea next to those of her beloved husband Denis, who died in 2003.
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| MACHOZI TIME 'MTOTO WAKE AMBAE NDO MMOJA WA MAPACHA 'AKISIKIA UCHUNGU WA KUMPOTEZA MZAZI HASA MAMA'AISEE HAKUNA KAMA MAMA" |
Grief: Carol Thatcher breaks down and Sarah Thatcher comforts her sister-in-law as the family arrived for the private service at Mortlake Crematorium"
Patriot: The Union Jack-draped coffin arrives the funeral service of Baroness Thatcher"
The emotional crowds threw white roses in the path of the gun carriage that carried Lady Thatcher through the capital, while many of the 2,300 inside St Paul's openly sobbed with Chancellor George Osborne 'overwhelmed'.
Outside on the streets, the predicted protests and disorder failed to materialise, with the few boos drowned out by supporters' applause.
As Big Ben once again started to chime after the 11am service, the procession started its final journey. At exactly 4.30pm, the coffin bearing grocer’s daughter Margaret Hilda Roberts, who rose to become Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, arrived at Mortlake crematorium. Her ashes are due to be interred at the Royal Hospital Chelsea next to those of her beloved husband Denis, who died in 2003.
Final leg of her journey: The hearse carrying Lady Thatcher's coffin arrives at Mortlake Crematorium in Richmond, London, after her funeral service at St Paul's Cathedral'
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