Former prime minister one of only three 20th-century premiers to have portraits there
Thatcher gets pride of place in Downing Street
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Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher returned to 10 Downing Street yesterday to attend the unveiling of her portrait.
Baroness Thatcher was greeted on the steps of her former residence by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah.
Mr Brown shook hands with Lady Thatcher who paused for photographs outside the famous door of No 10.
As Lady Thatcher stood there outside the door to No 10, clasping her trademark handbag, some reporters called out “Is it good to be home?” and “Are you pleased to be back?”
She did not reply.
Lady Thatcher’s portrait was unveiled at a private reception hosted by the prime minister.
The Thatcher portrait is now on permanent display in the state room’s lobby on the first floor of No 10 Downing Street.
The guest list for yesterday’s event was drawn up by Lady Thatcher herself.
It included former members of her Cabinet such as Lord Carrington and Michael Forsyth, close advisers like Sir Bernard Ingham, Lord Bell, Lord Saatchi, and some of the journalists who covered her years in power, including former newspaper editor Kelvin MacKenzie and former TV reporter and Strictly Come Dancing star John Sergeant.
Mr Brown offered Lady Thatcher the honour of an official portrait in Downing Street when she visited him for tea at No 10 in September 2007, a few months into his premiership.
Staircase
Although photographs of all Britain’s modern prime ministers line the main staircase in No 10, only two 20th-century leaders have paintings on display – David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill.
Lady Thatcher is believed to be the first living politician to have her portrait hung in the official residence of the prime minister.
The portrait by Richard Stone – who has previously painted the Queen and the Queen Mother as well as Labour prime ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan – was paid for by an anonymous private donor.
Lady Thatcher left Downing Street after the 50-minute reception, stopping to exchange a few words with Mr Brown and wave to photographers before being taken away in a chauffeur-driven car.
