Mikhail Gorbachev not expected to attend Margaret Thatcher’s funeral

Reportedly the ex-Soviet leader will miss Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s funeral due to his health situation

16:35 11 April 2013

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral, which is believed will take place at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Wednesday, 17th April, has been a topic in the media spotlight on Thursday.

Aside from reported potential security concerns, now the focus is on who is expected to attend the former PM’s funeral. This follows Margaret Thatcher’s death earlier this week.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the ex-Soviet statesman, is not expected to be present at her funeral because of health issues. Based on reports, his spokesperson has confirmed this.

Mr. Gorbachev paid his tribute to Britain’s first female Prime Minister on Monday, 8th April.

Also, the wife of the late former US President Ronald Reagan (the 40th American President who died in 2004) Nancy Reagan is not expected to attend the ceremony. The reason for this is understood to relate to her health.

According to Mrs. Reagan’s spokesperson, an individual has been asked to be present at Margaret Thatcher’s funeral in Mrs. Reagan’s absence in order to represent her.

Of those invited to the funeral, it is believed that former prime ministers and the cabinet of this day among other figureheads are on the list.

Based on reports Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, have been invited. Also, Dame Shirley Bassey and Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear, are also on the list.

It is expected that Queen Elizabeth II, who attended the funeral of Winston Churchill, will attend Baroness Margaret Thatcher’s funeral service.