Political leaders pay their respects

More than 2,300 mourners filled the pews of St Paul’s for the service with Britain’s current and former prime ministers taking up the front row.

David Cameron, who sat alongside predecessors Tony Blair and John Major, was joined by wife Samantha who appeared to pay homage to Lady Thatcher by wearing a pussybow blouse in the distinctive style favoured by Britain’s first and only female prime minister.

Labour leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine were also invited, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and wife Miriam Gonzalez, as well as London Mayor Boris Johnson and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

Every member of the Cabinet was in the congregation, including Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, and Chancellor George Osborne, who appeared to shed a tear during the 55-minute service.

Their predecessors from Lady Thatcher’s tenure as premier were also at the packed cathedral, with more than 30 attendees from her Cabinets between 1979 and 1990.

They included Lord Heseltine, former Tory party chairman Lord Tebbit, and Lord Howe, thought by many to have played a significant role in Baroness Thatcher’s downfall.

Tory grandee Ken Clarke, Baroness Warsi and Michael Portillo were also invited, as well as former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown.

Conservative backbencher Oliver Colvile, who also attended along with many colleagues, said afterwards: “There was a real sense of here was a woman who helped us through some very difficult times and was certainly responsible for helping this country.”

More than 50 guests were associated with the Falklands, including veterans such as Simon Weston, one of the most well-known, who earlier this week said he hoped the funeral would remain a dignified day, despite strong feelings on both sides towards Lady Thatcher.

Derek Cole, chief executive of the Falklands Veterans Foundation, said she was given a “very fitting send-off”.

“She left the cathedral in essentially the same manner that she would when she left a room during her lifetime – to a resounding round of applause and three cheers,” he said.

Mr Cole, from Gosport in Hampshire, recalled that he was “lucky enough” to have escorted Lady Thatcher at a number of functions and said the former prime minister always showed great compassion to those who fought in the Falklands conflict.

He added: “The Bishop of London spoke very well in his address and explained Lady Thatcher in a ‘T’, even mentioning her compassionate side.

“It brought back the pleasure I had during the hours I spent with her. She was always very sincere in what she said and wanted to meet as many of the veterans as she could. She was especially compassionate to family members who lost loved ones. The service reflected that, for me.”

Senior military figures at the service included Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, Chief Of The Defence Staff General Sir David Richards, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas, and Chief Of The General Staff General Sir Peter Wall.

There were also a number of figures from the showbiz world present, including broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan and Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins, who were among the first to arrive.

Composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber, singer Dame Shirley Bassey, Dynasty star Joan Collins and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson were among the other famous faces at the service.

They were joined by the likes of Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, Formula One boss Frank Williams and newsreader Martyn Lewis.