Family, friends and close political colleagues of Baroness Thatcher paid their respects to the former prime minister in a private service in the Palace of Westminster, as she made her final visit to the scene of so many battles and triumphs.
Daughter Carol had tears in her eyes following the brief but emotional service in the crypt chapel of St Mary Undercroft, ahead of the ceremonial funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Around 150 guests, also including son Sir Mark Thatcher and several members of Lady Thatcher’s Government, filed past her coffin, many pausing to bow in respect to the UK’s first female prime minister, who died last week at the age of 87.
On top of the coffin, draped in the Union flag, was a large bouquet of white roses bearing a hand-written card inscribed “Beloved Mother Always in our Hearts”.
The simple service of reception of the body, led by the Dean of Westminster the Very Rev Dr John Hall, featured prayers, the psalm O Lord, Thou Hast Sought Me Out and Known Me, and a reading from the Gospel of St John.
Work and Pensions Secretary and former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who was one of the most senior political figures to attend the ceremony, said: “It was very moving.
“It’s different from tomorrow, because this event was personal. Lots of people were there for personal reasons, each of us summing up what you owe her.”
Among senior figures attending were Thatcher-era ministers Lord (Cecil) Parkinson and Francis Maude.
David Cameron’s official spokesman said the prime minister was not attending the service, adding: “I think this afternoon’s ceremony is one that is, very understandably, very much family-led.”