As I prepared for an interview on ExpressenTV on the night of Lady Thatcher’s funeral, I read through the entries in the Embassy’s condolence book. Many Ambassadors, representing countries from across the world had come to the Embassy to pay their tributes, as had members of the British community and Swedish citizens.
What struck me was the strong personal impression Margaret Thatcher’s life and work had made on the lives of many people across the globe.
I was still at primary school when she became Prime Minister, and already working in the government service when she resigned. She made the political weather in Britain for well over a decade.
I never had the chance to meet her, but recall one, perhaps characteristic, anecdote, from a trip she made to the Paris Embassy, when I was working there in 1998.
She was staying in Paris the night of an England-Argentina match in the World Cup. England lost, controversially, on penalties, after David Beckham was sent off.
A colleague was dispatched to report the result to the Iron Lady.
“I’m afraid, Lady Thatcher, that England lost against Argentina tonight”, he timidly said.
“Never mind, dear boy, we won back the Falklands”, was the Lady’s memorable response!