Who was the oldest Prime Minister to pay homage at the funeral of Margaret Thatcher?
Death and funeral of Margaret Thatcher Baroness Thatcher died of a stroke in London on 8 April 2013 at the age of 87. On 17 April, the former Prime Minister was honoured with a ceremonial funeral. Due to the polarised view of her achievements and legacy, reaction to her death was mixed throughout the United Kingdom, with her memory evoking both intense praise and criticism. The funeral, including a formal procession through Central London, followed by a church service at St Paul's Cathedral, cost around £3.6 million including £3.1 million for security. The funeral was notable for the attendance of Queen Elizabeth II. All four of her successors as Prime Minister paid homage at the funeral. Her body was cremated at Mortlake Crematorium following the funeral.
Michael Portillo Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo PC (born 26 May 1953) is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister. He was first elected to the House of Commons in a by-election in 1984. A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, and a Eurosceptic, Portillo served as a junior minister under both Thatcher and John Major, before entering the cabinet in 1992. A "darling of the right", he was seen as a likely challenger to Major during the 1995 Conservative leadership election, but stayed loyal. As Defence Secretary, he pressed for a purist Thatcherite course of "clear blue water", separating the policies of the Conservatives from Labour.