More than 2,000 global political figures and celebrities have been invited to attend Margaret Thatcher's funeral in London on Wednesday. Here is a partial list:

EVERY SURVIVING US PRESIDENT has been invited.

Britain's QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

HILLARY CLINTON, the former US secretary of state. NEWT GINGRICH, the Republican former White House hopeful, has confirmed his attendance.

Representatives of NELSON MANDELA have been invited along with Mandela's predecessor as South African president, F.W. DE KLERK.

Canada's Prime Minister STEPHEN HARPER and former Australian premier JOHN HOWARD.

European Commission head JOSE MANUEL BARROSO and Malaysia's former premier MAHATHIR MOHAMAD.

Singer SHIRLEY BASSEY and actress JOAN COLLINS.

ANDREW LLOYD-WEBBER, composer of many of the world's best-loved musicals. Actor MICHAEL CRAWFORD, the first man to play the Phantom of the Opera.

JEREMY CLARKSON, presenter of the motoring TV show Top Gear, author FREDERICK FORSYTH and Welsh opera singer KATHERINE JENKINS.

RUPERT MURDOCH, the Australian-born media tycoon.

(China Daily 04/15/2013 page10)