Thatcher ‘would be humbled by queen’

Margaret Thatcher would have been “honoured and humbled” by the presence of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth at her funeral, her son said.

Mark Thatcher said his mother had been blessed with “a long life, and a very full one”, but her death was “without doubt a very sad moment”.

“We have quite simply been overwhelmed by messages of support, condolence, of every type, from far and wide, and I know that my mother would be pleased they have come from people of all walks of life,” he said.

The tribute came as Downing St revealed details of the former prime minister’s ceremonial funeral — which is to involve more than 700 armed forces personnel, and feature the units involved in the Falklands conflict.

Speaking outside his mother’s home in Belgravia, central London, Thatcher, who is thought to have flown back to Britain on Tuesday night, said the family are proud and grateful that Queen Elizabeth is to attend his mother’s funeral.

“I know my mother would be greatly honoured as well as humbled by her presence,” he said.

“By any measure, my mother was blessed with a long life, and a very full one.

“However the inevitability or the inevitable conclusion may appear of the recent illness that she suffered, it is no easier for us to bear in what is without doubt a very sad moment.”

In a reflection of Thatcher’s strong association with the armed forces, members of the Honourable Artillery Company will fire procession minute guns from Tower Wharf at the Tower of London.

The cost to the public purse will be published after next Wednesday’s service.

High-profile names yesterday began to confirm their attendance at next week’s ceremony, with former prime minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, confirming they will be among the mourners at St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as Blair’s successor, Gordon Brown, and his wife, Sarah.

No 10 said it expected to disclose details of the foreign dignitaries attending in the coming days.

Meanwhile, A Wizard Of Oz track which has had a surge of popularity in the wake of Thatcher’s death now looks on course for a place in the top 10.

An online campaign has driven sales of ‘Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead’ and midweek placings show Judy Garland’s version is now at No 10.

Many of Thatcher’s opponents have seen her death as a cause for celebration, prompting a download surge for the song.