Last updated: 29 July 2023
There’s something very British about the way the Thatcher funeral went down today. All pomp and circus but all done ‘the right way’. I guess that means it’s the ‘British way’. It does depend who you ask.
As a foreigner, my opinion of Thatcher as a leader is very inconsequential. I was barely alive during her reign and my knowledge of politics or the goings on of a far off land like England were nonexistent at best. So for her death to cause such an uproar from the public I was slightly bewildered and definitely curious to see how it all unfolded. Would there be protests? Would thousands of people line the Strand and turn their backs to her coffin and procession? I wondered.
Thousands people turned out for the event despite the scare from the Boston Marathon earlier in the week and the numerous reports of protesters disrupting the procession. It appeared to go off without a hitch.
The Police were ever present, I’ve never seen the Strand so empty. No cabs, no buses, just Police every 5 meters or so for the entire 2 mile journey from Houses of Parliament up to St Paul’s Cathedral. Supporters and tourists dominated the sea of people filling the streets. There were notices in most workplaces and every train station about the delay to transport because of the Procession. It wasn’t as bad as it was intended. No travel related hiccups for this blogger!
I managed to secure a spot near the St Clement Dane Church on the Strand hoping to catch a glimpse of the coffin being moved from the hearse to the gun carriage before heading down the Strand. I was a bit off kilter and found myself at the wrong end of the Church. Too many people to consider moving so I held tight and waited for Her to pass. It was eerily silent with the exception of the Military band that played unknown tunes.
As Thatcher passed me on the Strand applause rang out. I got goosebumps from the noise and the support for her. It wasn’t what I expected. There was no cheering, no protesters and no booing. Just simple acknowledgement of a former leader whose time was up.
Thumbs up to the Police & organizers for keeping us safe and organised and to the Media who appeared to do a stellar job of broadcasting it live for those that couldn’t see it.
