Former Prime Minister Thatcher says her final farewell to Sir Denis

AS the strains of The Last Post faded away, a guard of honour of 12 red-coated Chelsea Pensioners saluted the Union Flag-draped coffin of Sir Denis Thatcher as it left the chapel of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, following his funeral service.

Baroness Thatcher, head bowed and looking frail, and flanked by their twin children, Carol and Mark, stood still on the steps of the magnificent 17th century Wren building as the coffin, decked with red roses and white lilies her own tribute was taken away.

Lady Thatcher walked painfully slowly both into and out of the chapel, with both her children putting protective arms around her waist.

Afterwards Carol said: "It was a wonderful service. He would have been chuffed by it all. This was the most perfect place to have it. They spent many Sundays here together."

And the chaplain, the Rev Richard Whittington, had a special message during his address for the distraught former Prime Minister. "You can think of the past and weep, or you can look to the future and hope."

Lady Thatcher, her children, and Mark's Texan wife Diane, led some 120 mourners at the service, including Sir Denis's old golfing friends, former members of her Cabinet and those who worked with her in 10 Downing Street, as well as regular members of the congregation.

Lord Deedes, who was probably Sir Denis's closest friend, said: "Everything was exactly right. She was jolly pleased with it. She was fine. She is a strong woman and she will be fine."

Sir Denis, 88, died at the Lister Hospital, London, on June 26 after a short illness. He had undergone a six-hour heart bypass operation in January and appeared to have recovered from that until he fell ill again last month.