The funeral of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher will take place on April 17, current premier David Cameron's Downing Street office said Tuesday.

"It was agreed this morning at the government coordination meeting with the Thatcher family and Buckingham Palace that the funeral service of Lady Thatcher will take place on Wednesday 17 April at St Paul's Cathedral," Downing Street said in a statement.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip will attend, in an unusual move, Buckingham Palace said.

The queen does not usually attend funerals or memorial services of non-royals.

Thatcher, who died on Monday at the age of 87, will be given a ceremonial funeral, the second highest honour after a state funeral.