Harper, Mulroney arrive in London for Thatcher funeral

Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute toMargaret Thatcher as he arrived in London leading Canada's delegation to the ceremonial funeral for the former British prime minister.

Harper offered brief remarks after his plane landed, lauding Thatcher for making conservative economics a renewed force in the world andfor her "instrumental" role in the fall of communism and the transformation of the world towarda democratic model.

Standing on the tarmac with his wife, Laureen, Harper called Thatcher a "landmark, successful woman politician."

"She has, I think, been an inspiration for all women in conservative parties across the world and certainly in our own Conservative Party in Canada," he said.

As a short aside, Harper said his wife's gift to him the first Christmas they were married was a signed copy of the first volume of Thatcher's memoirs.

"That's something I treasure."

The funeral service for Thatcher, whodied on April 8at the age of 87, is Wednesday morning at St. Paul's Cathedral.

The guest list includes members of the political and intellectual elite from around the world, as well as British cultural royalty like singer Shirley Bassey, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and author Jeffrey Archer. The cathedral seats about 2,300 and is expected to be filled to capacity.

Private gathering at 10 Downing Street

Harpermet with British Prime Minister David Cameronat his official residence at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday evening. Laureen Harper joined her husband forthe customary photo call on the residence's doorstep beforedinner.

The prime minister's office said the two leaders discussedthe global economy and the ongoing negotiations towards a Canada-European Union free trade agreeement duringa short, bilateral meeting.

The Harpers were among Cameron's guests fora small gathering of prominent conservatives from around the world who were in town for the funeral, including former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney and former Australian prime minister John Howard.

Also included in the gathering was former prime minister Brian Mulroney, whowas Canada's Progressive Conservative prime minister from 1984-1993, overlapping withThatcher's time as British Tory prime ministerbetween 1979-1990.

While the two leadersdidn't always agree on matters of foreign and domestic policy,they had a close personal relationship beyond their common political ground, continuing tomeet as recently as last year, Mulroney said last week.

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In addition to Mulroney, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Conservative MP Ed Holder are also part of Canada's delegation for Wednesday's funeral.

On top ofhis ministerial role, Baird's affection for the iconic British Conservative leader iswell-known.Hecalled Thatcher a "personal political idol" last Monday whenher death was announced.

Holder chairs the Canada-UnitedKingdomInter-Parliamentary Association.

Tight security expected

While not a state funeral, Thatcher's service, set to begin at 11 a.m. local time (6 a.m. ET) on Wednesday morning at London's St. Paul's Cathedral, will includemilitary and other ceremonial honours.

In a relatively rare move,Queen Elizabethis expected to be amongthe British and foreign dignitaries gathered to pay their respects tothe groundbreaking politician.

As well as admirers,Britain's first female prime minister also had harsh critics and fierce opponents, opening cleavages in British society that persist to this day.Protests and anti-Thatcher partiescelebrating her death have accompanied the many tributes pouring in over the last week.

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Security is expected to be extremely tight not only because of the large numbers of dignitaries involved, but particularly in the heightened tensions worldwide following yesterday'sbombing at the Boston Marathon.

No Canadian is expected to speak or play an officialrole in the funeral service. The group is set toreturn late Wednesday to Ottawa.