Guests visit Thatcher's coffin in crypt

London's Metro Police detail preparations for the funeral ceremony of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. London Metropolitan Police

MARGARET Thatcher's coffin started its final journey today to her beloved Palace of Westminster where visits are being made by family and close friends, including her maids and carers.

The move came as mourners including former Australian Prime Minister John Howard arrived in London for her public funeral procession and St Paul's Cathedral service Wednesday at 11am (9pm AEST). The procession will begin an hour before the service.

The private service was held in the ancient royal crypt chapel of St Mary Undercroft, deep below the Houses of Parliament.

About 100 guests were invited to the 13th Century chapel to pay their respects including a number of senior members of the House of Commons led by Speaker John Bercow. Leader of the House Andrew Lansley and Chief Whip Sir George Young also attended with their Labour counterparts.

Private mourners were led by her twin children Sir Mark and Carol with other family and Lady Thatcher's former spokesman Mark Worthington. After the short service led by the Dean of Westminster, MPs, Lords and parliamentary staff were invited to pay their private respects.

Daughter carol had tears in her eyes following the brief but emotional private funeral at the chapel. A large bouquet of white roses with a hand written note from her and her brother Mark was inscribed in hand writing "Beloved Mother – Always in our Hearts".

As she left the 15 minute service – featuring prayers and psalms and led by the Dean of Westminster Dr John Hall – she paused to wipe away tears and be comforted by her brother.

The coffin of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher rests in the Crypt Chapel of St Mary Undercroft beneath the Houses of Parliament. Picture: Leon Neal

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, short but moving, very sombre. "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."

Close Thatcher friend and confidante Tory MP Conor Burns said it was fitting the service was held at Westminster where the "legend" of Thatcher began.

"It was very small, very intimate, very personal, and it was the first time I think since last Monday that the focus has come onto Margaret Thatcher the human being, Margaret Thatcher the person of Christian faith," Mr Burns told the BBC.

The Speaker's chaplain Reverand Rose Hudson-Wilkin is to keep vigil in the chapel throughout the night ahead of Lady Thatcher's Union Jack draped coffin beginning its public procession to the St Paul's service.

As Lady Thatcher's body lay at rest in the crypt, above her MPs took part in a bitter debate in the Commons over the move to suspend Question Time tomorrow so that the Prime Minister David Cameron and other MPs can attend her funeral service at St Paul's Cathedral.

The debate was sparked by Left wing maverick MP George Galloway who along with a Labour MP objected to the suspension in a bid to generate the debate and raise their objection to the "canonisation" of Lady Thatcher with her $14 million tax payer funded ceremonial funeral.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and wife Janette signing the condolence book for Margaret Thatcher at Lancaster House in London ahead of attending her funeral tomorrow. Picture: Charles Miranda

The day of drama came as the US confirmed it was sending a delegation of representatives but no currently serving figures from the White House administration. The US will be represented by former secretaries of state George Schultz and James Baker. Former US vice president Dick Cheney and ex secretary of state Henry Kissinger will also be attending.

Argentina's ambassador to the UK Alicia Castro rejected an invitation to attend after her President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was not invited. The snub highlights the tensions still simmering between the two countries over the Falkland Islands.

Meanwhile, Mr Howard described Lady Thatcher as having had an indelible mark on Britain's history and the world.

"I admire Margaret Thatcher and she changed this country for the better and along with Ronald Reagan and (pop) John Paul II brought about the downfall of the Soviet Union which is the single most transformative event in my lifetime," he said.

"So she was a remarkable person. We have very similar views but she was prime minister of Great Britain between 1979 and 1989 and I was prime minster somewhat later but I respected her enormously. The great thing about her was you knew what she stood for, love her or loathe her, people knew what Margaret Thatcher believed in what she stood for and that is a lessen for the ages for all politicians.

"The worst thing in the world in politics is people have no idea what you believe in. you never had that problem with Margaret Thatcher."

The coffin of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher arrives with a police escort at the Houses of Parliament. Picture: Oli Scarff

Mr Howard said she had had an affinity toward Australia that saw her visit the country more times than any British prime minister before or after her.

About 4000 police will be on duty for Lady Thatcher's funeral procession amid continuing fears protestors will attempt to disrupt proceedings.

The coffin of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is conveyed to the Chapel Of St Mary Undercroft. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

Sir Mark Thatcher and Carol Thatcher, the son and daughter of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, leave a private service at the Houses of Parliament. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

Wife of former Australian prime minister Janette Howard signs the condolence book for Margaret Thatcher at Lancaster House in London. Picture: Charles Miranda

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