yitbos
Posted on 05/28/2011 12:35:58 AM PDT by naturalman1975
The Queen will lead the celebration of the oldest and highest order of British chivalry founded more than 650 years ago.
The Knights of the Order of the Garter, created by Edward III in 1348, will gather in their ceremonial feathered hats and robes at Windsor Castle next month for the annual procession to St George’s Chapel.
But there will be one conspicuous absentee from the line-up of 26 knights, who include Prince Philip, Prince William, the Duke of Westminster, former Prime Minister Sir John Major and Lord Sainsbury, president of the supermarket chain.
Baroness Thatcher, who was elevated to the Order by the Queen in 1995, five years after her fall from power, will remain in her elegant Belgravia home rather than make the short trip to Windsor.
It will be the second time in recent weeks that Britain’s greatest modern peace-time Prime Minister has withdrawn from a high-profile royal engagement.
Lady Thatcher, unlike Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, was on the guest-list for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. But because of her physical and mental frailty, her advisers reluctantly decided that the 85-year-old should not attend.
It was a tough decision. Unlike Mr Blair, Lady Thatcher’s good relations with the royals were underlined when the Queen and Prince Philip attended her 80th birthday celebration.
Her absence from the Royal Wedding was the most significant sign of the deterioration in her health following a series of minor strokes. In fact, she has not been seen in public for almost eight months since her faltering appearance on the steps of her home after she returned from two weeks in hospital last November.
Future public appearances will now be severely restricted as the longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century effectively retires from public life.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
God Bless Margaret Thatcher
yitbos
In her absence Margaret Thatcher commands more respect than a certain other recent usurper to London.
Truly a great lady and a great lady. Brought a tear to my eye.
Correction: Truly a great lady and a great leader. Brought a tear to my eye.
Apologies for the error.
She is the Winston Churchill of her time...
One of my favorite pictures of her
God bless Baroness Thatcher.
...and thank you for your valuable service to the free world.
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