More than 2,000 politicians, dignitaries and celebrities – from Hillary Clinton to Tony Blair, from Jeremy Clarkson to FW de Klerk, and from Jeffrey Archer to Shirley Bassey – have been invited to attend the funeral of Lady Thatcher at St Paul's Cathedral next week.
The guest list, which includes all surviving former British prime ministers, all surviving former US presidents and a representative of the former South African president Nelson Mandela, has been drawn up by Thatcher's family with help from the government and the Conservative party.
Downing Street said the invitations were being printed on Thursday and would be sent out on Friday by first-class post.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: "Those invited include family and friends of Lady Thatcher, those who worked with her over the years, including all surviving members of her cabinets, former chiefs of staff, Conservative associates, peers and MPs, members of the cabinet, peers and MPs, members of the Order of the Garter, members of the Order of Merit, foreign associates and dignitaries and representatives from the wide range of groups she was associated with."
She said 200 states, territories and international organisations would be invited to send a representative to the service.
"We have invited those countries and institutions with whom we have normal diplomatic relations," she said. "In addition, there are invitations being made in a personal capacity to some current and former world leaders as well as others from overseas who had a close connection to Baroness Thatcher."
Over 2,000 politicians, dignitaries, and celebrities invited, with help in the choosing from the CONSERVATIVE party in Britain, and Sarah Palin STILL cannot wrangle an invite?
Don't these people realize that SHE is the obvious successor to the conservative crown of Baroness Thatcher?
Don't they realize that she has "still" spine which is kind of like being an "Iron Lady?"
Do they not realize that ever since Palin first heard about the Thatcher, from McCain's people while they were trying to cram a lifetime's worth of facts in her head before she met the press, that she has wanted NOTHING more in life than to have the opportunity stand next to her (Dead or alive), and get her picture taken to help further her conservative credentials?
Oh, well maybe they DO know that.
Wow! It is one thing to get rejected by a living woman, but to be rejected by her corpse? Ouch!
I guess they did not read this impassioned plea over at the Sea O'Pee earlier today:
But as an invited guest of the Thatcher family!! Sarah going would end once and for all the LIE that Thatcher did not want to meet her!! So I implore Thatcher's family and official representatives to PLEASE invite Sarah Palin to the memorial!! She would be a dignified and most appropriate person to TRULY represent the United States.....or at least that part of this nation that most reveres Lady Thatcher!!
Ah! And just when I thought this could not be more satisfying!
