Margaret Thatcher ashes buried at London hospital

BARONESS Thatcher’s ashes were laid to rest today in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Margaret Thatcher's funeral took place in April. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Members of her family including her children Sir Mark and Carol Thatcher attended a short church service in the chapel of the central London site before a solid oak casket containing her ashes was placed in the ground.

A headstone bearing the simple inscription “Margaret Thatcher 1925 - 2013” was being erected on top of her final resting place in the leafy grounds of the hospital.

The country’s first female prime minister died aged 87 on April 8.

Twelve Chelsea Pensioners dressed in their distinctive scarlet coats formed a guard of honour as her ashes were placed alongside those of her husband Sir Denis, who died in 2003.

Prayers were said by hospital chaplain the Reverend Richard Whittington as her family members comforted one another.

Among the small group of mourners was Lady Thatcher’s former private secretary Lord Powell and Lord Bell, her former political adviser.

Sir Mark, his wife Sarah and Carol then took it in turns to each place a single red rose alongside the casket.