Baroness Thatcher would have been "honoured and humbled" by the presence of the Queen at her funeral, her son has said.

Sir Mark Thatcher said his mother had been blessed with "a long life, and a very full one", but her death was "without doubt a very sad moment".

"We have quite simply been overwhelmed by messages of support, condolence, of every type, from far and wide, and I know that my mother would be pleased they have come from people of all walks of life," he said.

Sir Mark's tribute came as Downing Street revealed details of the former prime minister's ceremonial funeral - which is to involve more than 700 Armed Forces personnel, and feature the units involved in the Falklands conflict.

Speaking outside his mother's home in Belgravia, central London, Sir Mark, who is thought to have flown back to the UK on Tuesday night, said the family are proud and grateful that the Queen is to attend his mother's funeral.

Downing Street announced that more than 700 service personnel will take part in next week's funeral, and Lady Thatcher's coffin will be carried into St Paul's Cathedral by bearers from units particularly associated with the Falklands War.

In a reflection of Lady Thatcher's strong association with the armed forces, members of the Honourable Artillery Company will fire procession minute guns from Tower Wharf at the Tower of London. Personnel from all three services will line the funeral route, while three military bands play - their drums draped in black as a mark of respect.

The cost to the public purse will be published after next Wednesday's service, the Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed.

No 10 strongly defended the decision to recall MPs to Westminster for tributes to the former prime minister, despite criticism from some in the Labour Party.

"Given her stature and importance, the Prime Minister thought that the right thing to do was to ask the Speaker to recall Parliament," said David Cameron's official spokesman.