THE Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher underlined her support and commitment to the British Forces Foundation during a rousing speech at London's Carlton Club.

Various VIPs and dignitaries had gathered at the venue for the official unveiling of her portrait by the Royal Court artist Richard Stone.

Monies from the sale of the original plus 350 limited edition prints, personally signed by the former British Prime Minister, will boost the charity's funds.

Before she revealed the portrait Baroness Thatcher spoke passionately about her relationship with the country's Armed Forces and the importance of the BFF.

"I would do anything for the Armed Forces of the Crown," said The British Forces Foundation president. "As a politician I know that the greatest guarantee of peace is to keep our Armed Forces strong.

"Twice during my period of office I had to call on them. The first was when the Argentinians took control of the Falkland Islands 8,000 miles away.

"There was only one thing to do - go down there, defend the liberty of the people and get the Islands back. Our Armed Forces went. It was a risk to go, just three weeks warning, but they took the Islands. We have the best Armed Forces in the world."

The second occasion that Baroness Thatcher as Prime Minister had to call upon the Armed Forces was when trouble flared in the Middle East with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

"We had a friendly relationship with Kuwait and it was agreed we simply must go and get the territory back.

"I had a contretemps with my own party at the time and left office. We managed to get the Iraqis out of Kuwait but, if you have an enemy you've got to defeat that enemy properly, not merely take them back to where they were at the beginning. Unfortunately, as I wasn't there, this wasn't quite done."

Baroness Thatcher told the audience that she has so much to thank the Armed Forces of Britain for. "We owe our liberty, and the liberty we are able to bring to other people, to the British Armed Forces and we must do everything we can for the British Forces Foundation," she said.

"They have never let freedom down wherever in the world they've been asked to defend. They've built unique friendships around the world extending liberty to many people. The British Armed Forces have never ever faltered.

"I hope you too value liberty, the greatness of our country, that it's never failed in two World Wars and many other wars.

"I hope you never forget what we owe to people who gave their lives in two world wars - some 1,400,000 lives. I hope British people have extended a way of life - liberty as a right governed by law."

On unveiling the portrait Baroness Thatcher said: "I am so very grateful to Jim Davidson for his work with the British Forces Foundation.

"I would also like to thank for Richard Stone for this wonderful portrait. The four or five sittings were a great pleasure and I marvel at the finished project. I'm so pleased to be remembered like that - it's a rather handsome portrait."

BFF chairman Jim Davidson praised Baroness Thatcher for her patriotism and told her: "You enable us to love our country. You do things we all want to do. There's something in all of us that loves our country and you bring it out."

BFF director Mark Cann also paid tribute to the efforts and talents of Richard Stone. "His hard work and dedication in bringing this project to fruition, his enthusiasm and unparalleled meticulous eye for detail and his generosity has been amazing."

OWN a limited edition print of The Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher, President of the British Forces Foundation. A rare opportunity to purchase one of 350 original lithographic prints of the former British Prime Minister, signed by the Lady herself. These collector's items are priced at £1,000 with all profits going to The British Forces Foundation.

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Baroness Thatcher with artist Richard Stone

Lady Thatcher speaking about the importance of the BFF

Chairman Jim Davidson OBE alongside the charity's President, and the Director Mark Cann

Richard Stone at work during one of the sittings

Congratulations on a "handsome" portrait