Did Queen Elizabeth like Margaret Thatcher?

The relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher, two of the most powerful women who shaped the latter half of the 20th century in Britain, was an intriguing blend of respect, formality, and tension. Both women ascended to their positions of power around the same time - Thatcher becoming Britain's first female prime minister in 1979 and Queen Elizabeth II assuming the throne in 1952. Despite their parallel ascensions and shared duties to the nation, their relationship was marked by a certain distance and complexity that stemmed from their very different backgrounds and ideologies.Observers have often described the Queen's relationship with Margaret Thatcher as "difficult." Born into contrasting backgrounds, the Queen, a product of a life steeped in tradition and lineage, held starkly different views from Thatcher, a grocer's daughter who climbed the political ranks with her meritocratic beliefs and radical politics. Thatcher, a key architect of neoliberal economics, held a vision of Britain that was sharply at odds with the Queen's more traditionalist and non-political worldview.Margaret Thatcher was undoubtedly a divisive figure in British politics. Her policies, particularly her economic reforms, were seen by some as a necessary antidote to a stagnating economy, while others viewed them as cold-hearted and divisive. These contrasting opinions extended into the royal household, with some reports suggesting that the Queen herself had reservations about Thatcher's uncompromising approach to politics and economics. The Queen's constitutional role prevented her from expressing her political views publicly, but insider accounts suggest that she found some aspects of Thatcher's policies troubling. For instance, the Queen was reportedly concerned about Thatcher's lack of support for the Commonwealth and her confrontational approach to the unions.These ideological differences were likely compounded by their contrasting personalities. Thatcher was known for her rigid and formal demeanor, which reportedly made the Queen dread their weekly meetings. The prime minister's relentless work ethic, her tendency to dominate conversations, and her lack of introspection were all traits that seemed to trouble the Queen. Yet, it would be a mistake to assume that the relationship between the two women was entirely devoid of mutual respect and admiration.Despite their differences, both the Queen and Thatcher were bound by their shared sense of duty and commitment to their roles. Thatcher herself publicly denied any rift with the Queen, dismissing stories of their alleged clashes as fabrications. Furthermore, the Queen attended Thatcher's funeral in 2013, an honor she had not accorded to any other prime minister since Winston Churchill. This act alone speaks volumes about the Queen's acknowledgement of Thatcher's significant role in British history.The relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher was undoubtedly complex, marked by ideological differences, contrasting personalities, and the unique pressures of their high-profile roles. Yet, it was also a relationship characterized by mutual respect and a shared sense of duty to their nation. To definitively state whether the Queen liked or disliked Margaret Thatcher would oversimplify their nuanced relationship. However, it is clear that the Queen recognized and respected Thatcher's contributions to British politics, even if she did not always agree with her methods or policies. Ultimately, their relationship offers a fascinating insight into the interplay of personality, power, and politics at the highest levels of British society.