To spend my morning watching the funeral of Maggie Thatcher (on BBC) ?

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

She was our first woman prime-minister - a significant personal achievement, especially for the daughter of a grocer from Grantham, born in 1925

Also I agree with those that say these ceremonial occasions are something we do really well in Britain.

So AIBU to be watching this morning - in spite of disagreeing with many of her policies ? Will you be watching ?
And what do you make of both her personal achievement and her legacy ?

I think it's really moving.

Can't believe the Thatcher family aren't blubbing their eyes out. Her granddaughter appears to be smirking.

pall bearing looks very hard work. I guess they trained for it.

Watching the coffin processing up the aisle I think these national occasions give us an opportunity to remember our mortality and the life journeys we all make.
After all we and all our loved ones can't all have a funeral like this.
I think many people at Princess Di's funeral were thinking not only of her (though she was much loved by many) - it became an opportunity for national mourning.

Yup - but my point was more about the BBC coverage than the rights or wrongs of protesting at a funeral (which is a bit late IMO).

My point was that if protests are happening, then the BBC has a duty to show that as well as all the clapping crowds.

Like choky I'm watching it because it's an important national event.

yes

I've never liked Mark T, but he really looked bereft as the coffin was carried past him.

Me too Snazzy. I'm an election night bore

I really need to go into St Pauls the next time I'm in London - it's such a gorgeous building - sure TV doesn't do it justice.

Oh Jesus what IS Sam Cam wearing?

oh, and Blair was PM for longer, arguably did as much to change the UK, there's now no argument not to give him a ceremonial funeral - in fact, if they don't, there's going to be accusations of political bias in the Royal family (the queen has not attended a Labour PM's funeral, but has 2 tory ones so far). To avoid accusations of favouritism and it being a political decision, Tony Blair will have to be offered one rather publicly, his family might refuse, but the Palace now can't afford the embarrassment of looking partisan by not making it an option. I would imagine the Palace would be pushing like mad for Blair ot get a ceremonial funeral given what's happening today - there's already being articles written that the Queen shouldn't be here if she's to be seen as neutral.

Oh Sam Cam 's bow blouse thingy is definitely not a good look.It ages her too much.She never,ever gets it right and its such a shame as she is very attractive.

Thank God they used the proper Lords Prayer not that dreadful modern version

intheframe I don't think the young girl is smirking at all. She looks like she is trying to be as dignified as possible, not trying to show to much emotion so has he face fixed into position so to speak.

Anyone else wondering what the Queen was saying to Philip?

I know DC is not a popular figure on MN, but I have to say I feel so sorry for him and Samantha - I imagine funerals are so difficult for them after having to say goodbye to their son.

I'm sitting here blabbing a I am reminded of my own mothers funeral and that was 11 years ago.

this is when it feel like this really should be a private funeral
not public event

something not right about a family being shown on tv live at their mothers funeral

it should be private

mt would be going mad about the expense

Jake you and me have the same filing/order system in our brains today.

"oh, and Blair was PM for longer,"

No, he wasn't. He was in power for 10 years, Thatcher 11.

Tony Blair is NOT a man of principle.
He is an oily deceitful chancer.
MT WAS a woman of principle, and she stuck to her convictions.

But MT did plan most of this - she had a guest list of 1200 people! Hardly a private family affair!

NotTreadingGrapes - you'd better add my name to Eldritch's list.

I am watching. We do pomp, ceremony, history so well in this country. I, with my parents and family, benefitted from the Thatcher years. I've been reading different opinions with interest. I don't know that anyone can get running the country right. I hope there isn't any trouble afterwards, it doesn't say a lot about individuals if there is.... And my thoughts would be those on the frontline of sorting out that trouble.

IntheFrame - my grandmother died in her late 80s after having had dementia for years too - funerals are different in that case, you've done your grieving, the person you loved is gone - in our case for a good decade before her physical death. My younger cousins can't really remember her being 'well'. It's more a feeling of "well, that's over with" by the time they die.

I love SamCam outfit. Totally channelling the 80s.

First hymn - "He who would valiant be" - Yes, I like that one, but noticing too how many "he" and "his" there are in it.

I think it's weird that Phil and Holly on This Morning are wearing black. Can they be in mourning and still present 'crime week' and introduce competitions? Very odd.

"I really need to go into St Pauls the next time I'm in London - it's such a gorgeous building - sure TV doesn't do it justice."

You can go to a service.

Schedule here:

www.stpauls.co.uk/Worship-Music/Detailed-Service-Schedule

They list the music that will be played.