Thatcher funeral to be held April 17

Ceremonial funeral for former prime minister to have full military honors

4/9/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Floral tributes are seen outside former British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher's home in London Tuesday.
Floral tributes are seen outside former British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher's home in London Tuesday.

LONDON — The British government says former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's funeral will be held April 17.

Undertakers today removed the ex-leader's body from London's Ritz Hotel, where she died Monday, amid preparations for a ceremonial funeral with full military honors.

A van carrying Thatcher's casket left the hotel for an undisclosed location.

Officials say Thatcher's funeral will be held with full military honors at St. Paul's Cathedral. It is not technically a state funeral, which requires a vote in Parliament, but is the same level of honor given Princess Diana and the Queen Mother Elizabeth.

Thatcher's coffin will lie overnight at the Houses of Parliament before the funeral, and then travel on a horse-drawn gun carriage to the cathedral along a route lined by military personnel.