Former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher died in a suite at the Ritz today after suffering a severe stroke.
Britain's first and only female political leader passed away peacefully aged 87, after battling poor health for more than a decade.
After a minor operation over Christmas, Baroness Thatcher had spent the past few months recuperating at the five-star hotel in central London.
The Iron Lady was given 24-hour care by nursing staff in her suite, after becoming too frail to stay in her Belgravia home.
The
grocer's daughter, who became the longest serving British prime minister
of the 20th century, will be honoured with a full ceremonial
funeral - one step below a state funeral - at St Paul's Cathedral next week.
Not since Winston Churchill's death has a politician been granted such a tribute. His funeral was also held there in 1965.
Her spokesman Lord Bell said: 'It is
with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their
mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this
morning'.
Her daughter Carol dashed from her home in the Alps to London on Sunday morning to be by her mother's side before she died.
The Queen was sad to hear of Baroness Thatcher's death and Her Majesty will send a private
message of sympathy to the family, Buckingham Palace said today.
Comments
Post a Comment