London:
Britain's government has given the codename "True Blue" to the operation for former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's funeral next week, Downing Street said on Tuesday.
Union Jacks on British government buildings and embassies around the world will fly at half mast for the rest of Tuesday and then again from sunrise to sunset on the day of the funeral on April 17, Prime Minister David Cameron's office said after a meeting of key players.
Thatcher, who died of a stroke on Monday at the age of 87, will receive a ceremonial funeral at St Paul's Cathedral in London with full military honours, with Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip set to attend.
"The working title for the operational plan for Lady Thatcher's funeral is 'True Blue'," Downing Street said in a statement.
It said the coordination meeting on Tuesday morning chaired by cabinet minister Francis Maude to discuss the arrangements included representatives of the Thatcher family and Buckingham Palace.
Officials from St Paul's Cathedral, the defence ministry, Scotland Yard, the Foreign Office and Downing Street also attended.
"Other issues discussed included the details of the funeral procession, invitations, matters of foreign protocol, the role of the military and the service at St Paul's," it said.
"There will be similar meetings between now and the day of the funeral service."
Downing Street said its website had received more than 1,000 comments on the death of its former occupant, with 35,000 visitors to the site on Monday.
A book of condolence would be opened in central London and British embassies around the world are also opening books of condolence "unless security arrangements make this impractical", the statement said.