London (CNN Business) Britain awoke Friday to newspaper front pages that portrayed its prime minister as a lonely soldier intent on keeping her Brexit plan alive.

The headlines were largely unsympathetic to Theresa May following a tumultuous day that started with a wave of resignations by key ministers and ended with the prime minister defending her plan in a televised press conference.

Rumors swirled throughout Thursday as political analysts and newspaper columnists questioned whether May could continue as prime minister. But by Friday, the media was focused on her defiance.

Top UK newspapers led with images of May during her press conference. The Financial Times, Daily Mirror and Daily Express each described May as "defiant." The Times headline read: "Lonely May staggers on."

The Guardian summed up the previous day's action as "Resignations, a coup and a day of hostility. But May fights on." It used an image of the prime minister seemingly glaring over a glass of water.

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