UK

Rehearsal for Thatcher funeral held in London

Full military rehearsal takes place in early hours of the morning in London

Members of the British armed forces rehearse for the funeral of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in the early hours of this morning at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Photograph: Reuters
Members of the British armed forces rehearse for the funeral of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in the early hours of this morning at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Photograph: Reuters
Mon Apr 15 2013 - 09:07

A full military rehearsal for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral took place in the early hours of this morning in London.

Major Andrew Chatburn, the man in charge of choreographing the parade, said the rehearsal "went very well" and claimed it was "vitally important" to stage a trial of Wednesday's event.

More than 700 serving Armed Forces personnel gathered in central London before dawn as a Union flag-draped coffin was carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage from St Clement Danes, the church of the Royal Air Force, down the Strand to St Paul’s Cathedral.

The rehearsal for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral marches up Ludgate Hill. Photograph: Reuters
The rehearsal for Margaret Thatcher’s funeral marches up Ludgate Hill. Photograph: Reuters
Rehearsing the funeral of oMargaret Thatcher at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Photograph: Reuters
Rehearsing the funeral of oMargaret Thatcher at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Photograph: Reuters

Maj Chatburn, ceremonial staff officer for the Household Division, who was also behind the royal wedding procession two years ago and last year’s Diamond Jubilee parade, said: “Timings are most important. We will learn something quite significant this morning about the timings, and to familiarise the troops of their duties.

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“Bearing in mind these are sailors, soldiers and airmen who have come in to do this specific task from their routine duties, so it’s new to them.

“They need to see the ground as well so they can get a feel for how it’s going to go and they can perform their duties with confidence on the day.

“I thought it went very well.”

The procession band played the funeral marches of Chopin, Beethoven and Mendelssohn as it made its way along the deserted streets.

During the rehearsal the military and police wore their working dress and high visibility clothes respectively, but they will be in ceremonial uniform on Wednesday.

The pensioners from Royal Hospital Chelsea did not take part today due to the early start, but they will line the west steps of St Paul’s for the real event.

Maj Chatburn said: “The point of the rehearsal is to prove the route, make sure that the soldiers, sailors and airmen are familiar with their duties and to prove the timings.”

Maj Chatburn said the thousands of people lining the streets on Wednesday will create issues that could not be replicated today.

“That creates an atmosphere and for the horses in particular that is another challenge for them.”

PA