Margaret Hilda Thatcher (1925 - 2013)

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG OM PC FRS (née Roberts, 13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013) was a British politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and the Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century and is the only woman to have held the office.

Personal details
Born	Margaret Hilda Roberts  13 October  1925 Grantham, England
Died	8 April 2013 (aged 87) London, England
Political party	Conservative
Spouse(s)	Denis Thatcher (m. 1951–2003, his death)
Children	Carol Thatcher Mark Thatcher
Alma mater	Somerville College, Oxford Inns of Court
Profession	Chemist Lawyer
Religion	Church of England Methodist (1925–1951)

 

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Big Ben falls silent for Baroness Thatcher’s funeral,

Big Ben

The world famous chimes of Big Ben will fall silent for the duration of Baroness Thatcher’s funeral, it was announced yesterday.

Commons Speaker John Bercow told MPs there can be ‘profound dignity and deep respect’ in silence, as he announced plans to switch off the chimes for the first time since Winston Churchill's death.

The move comes after Lady Thatcher’s family rejected the idea of ringing a bell for each of her 87 years, a tribute paid to Churchill when his body left the Houses of Parliament.

Baroness Thatcher's children, Sir Mark and Carol Thatcher, said they appreciated the 'great honour' of Big Ben and Westminster's Great Clock falling silent during their mother's funeral.

In a statement in the Commons, Mr Bercow said: ‘I believe that there can be a profound dignity and deep respect expressed in and through silence and I am sure the whole House will agree.’

The last time the bells were silenced was Churchill's funeral in 1965, although there has also been routine maintenance since then.

 

A hearse carrying the coffin travelled through London with an escort of police motorcyclists

Baroness Thatcher's coffin resting in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft beneath the Palace of Westminster

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