The two wives of Sir Mark Thatcher will attend the funeral of his mother at her request, it has been reported.
First wife Diane Beckett, who lives in Dallas, Texas, will fly to London next week to attend the service. Daughter-in-law, Sarah Thatcher, Sir Mark's second wife, will also be present.
It is believed Baroness Thatcher requested before she died that both her daughter-in-laws attend.
Margaret Thatcher with son Mark and wife Sarah on her 87th birthday today. The former PM is said to have requested that both of her son's wives attend her funeral
Sir Mark, 59, was flying back to the UK last night after spending 25 years living and working abroad.
Mrs Beckett will be accompanied by the couple’s two children Michael, 24, and 19-year-old Amanda – Baroness Thatcher’s only grandchildren - and new husband James Beckett, a multi-millionaire sports publisher.
Mrs Beckett told The Telegraph: 'She led an incredible life, and she will be dearly missed.
'My children and I are of course heartbroken, but we also have some wonderful memories.'
She said she did not want to make any further statement but added that her enduring memory for Baroness Thatcher would be an 'incredible respect for her legacy.'
It is believed Mrs Beckett had remained friends with Baroness Thatcher after her and Sir Mark's marriage broke down.
A close friend told the paper that there was never any animosity and that Lady Thatcher had always 'loved Diane'.
Sir Mark lives in Spain with his second wife Sarah, whom he married in secret at a register office in Gibraltar, but he is said to have has made frequent visits, typically every four to six weeks, to see his mother in recent years.
A close friend told the paper that there was never any animosity and that Lady Thatcher (left) had always 'loved Diane', Sir Mark's first wife (right)
Baroness Thatcher leaves The Guards Chapel following a memorial service for her late husband Sir Denis Thatcher, with daughter-in-law Diane, Mark Thatcher, granddaughter Amanda, Baroness Thatcher, grandson Michael and daughter Carol
The couple were reportedly joined by just three guests. Neither his mother, nor Sir Mark’s twin sister Carol were among those at the ceremony.
He was holidaying in Barbados when his mother died.
Sarah is the sister of Viscount Rothermere, the former wife of Lord Francis Russell and the eldest daughter of Terry Clemence, a millionaire developer.
In 2005, Sir Mark received a four-year suspended jail term and a £265,000 fine in South Africa, for his involvement in a plot to overthrow the president of the oil-rich African state of Equatorial Guinea.
His conviction meant that Sir Mark could not enter the US to visit his children, whose mother was given custody in the divorce.
Michael Thatcher, is said to have been an accomplished American football player at high school, hoe ent on to study at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
He has recently worked for a Republican-aligned political organisation that aims to 'educate and empower the Hispanic community with conservative values'.
Amanda Thatcher, who is said to be an excellent runner, and most closely resembles her father, enjoys baking and horse-riding and singing.
A family friend told The Telegraph they had loved their grandmother veyr much and had recently been to see her.
'They’re grieving now, but they are also very moved by all the outpouring of emotion around the world.'