London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Mar 16, 2025

Queen Elizabeth II: Funeral and 10 days of mourning cost government £162m

Queen Elizabeth II: Funeral and 10 days of mourning cost government £162m

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and events during the period of national mourning cost the government an estimated £162m, the Treasury has said.

The state funeral on 19 September 2022 came 11 days after her death.

During that period of national mourning hundreds of thousands of people visited Westminster where she was lying in state.

The Home Office (£74m) and Department of Culture, Media and Sport (£57m) spent the most.

The costs incurred by the government departments relate to the Queen's funeral and other events in the run-up, including the monarch's lying-in-state.

John Glen, chief secretary to the Treasury, said the government's priority at the time had been to make sure "these events ran smoothly and with the appropriate level of dignity, while at all times ensuring the safety and security of the public".

In a written ministerial statement made to Parliament, Mr Glen said the Treasury had provided additional funding where necessary and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments were "fully" refunded for their respective costs.

The estimated costs include:

*  Department for Culture, Media & Sport - £57.42m

*  Department for Transport - £2.565m

*  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - £2.096m

*  Home Office - £73.68m

*  Ministry of Defence - £2.890m

*  Northern Ireland Office - £2.134m

*  Scottish Government - £18.756m

*  Welsh Government - £2.202m

*  Total - £161.743m

After Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 aged 96, the UK started 10 days of national mourning.

The late Queen's coffin was laid to rest in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for 24 hours, before the monarch was taken to Westminster Abbey in London where thousands of mourners queued for hours to pay their respects.

People lined up in London at all hours of the day, often in chilly temperatures, to pay their respects - including David Beckham.

The wait time at one stage was estimated to be more than 24 hours; and the queue snaked from Westminster Hall, down along the River Thames and stretched south for almost seven miles (11km).

The scale of the state funeral and mourning arrangements led to what police described at the time as "probably the biggest operation we're likely to launch in the UK".

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin being carried out of Westminster Abbey


World leaders and foreign royalty joined the Royal Family for the state funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Members of the 2,000-strong congregation included the Queen's great-grandchildren, the prime minister at the time Liz Truss and US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill.

The event was watched by millions of people across the country and around the world.

It was the first state funeral since Sir Winston Churchill's in 1965 and the biggest ceremonial event since World War Two.

After the funeral, the Queen's coffin travelled in a procession to Wellington Arch and then on to its final journey to Windsor Castle and a committal service.

Queen Elizabeth II's death was followed by 10 days of national mourning


The cost was used to facilitate the smooth running of the event and ensure mourners from the UK and across the world could visit and take part safely, Downing Street has said.

"Of course, a major international event of this scale, we wanted to ensure that we could enable people to pay their respects," a No 10 spokesman added.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China Introduces 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery Expected to Last 5,730 Years
Inquiry: Social Media Platforms Greenlit Advertisements Featuring Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Material in Germany
U.S. Expels South African Diplomat Amid Escalating Tensions Over Discriminatory Land Seizure Policies
High-Ranking ISIS Official Slain in Collaborative Operation in Iraq
After countless Ukrainian lives lost, the nation in ruins, the economy in shambles, and vast numbers of the population having fled, NATO has "Announced" that Ukraine's membership is no longer being considered.
Connecticut Woman Accused of Keeping Stepson Imprisoned for Twenty Years
Bosnia and Herzegovina Encounters Political Turmoil Following Arrest Warrant Issued for Serb Leader
Meta Set to Introduce Community Notes Feature in March as Part of New Content Moderation Approach
Trump Family in Discussions for Investment in Binance
UK Prime Minister Suggests Significant Changes to the Governance of the National Health Service.
France Takes Strong Stance Against Potential US Tariffs on Alcoholic Drinks
Donatella Versace to Resign as Creative Director Following Almost 30 Years.
Trump's Ambassador Nominee Confirmed Canada’s Autonomy in the Face of Trade Strains
Netanyahu Rejects UN Conclusions on Gaza as 'Untrue'
Trump Speaks on the Possibility of a Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Continued Tensions
Trump Reaffirms Interest in Greenland Acquisition Amid Geopolitical Issues
French Prime Minister Bayrou Declares Position Against US Tariff Menaces
These are currently increasing in the UK.
Trump's Encounter with the Irish Prime Minister Takes an Unforeseen Twist Regarding Fashion and Economic Matters.
Isabel, a Russian native, wed Zahid Ali Khan, describing it as "love at first sight." She adores him for his character, not his $740 million fortune.
Chair Refers to Transgender Representative as 'Mr. McBride' During Congressional Meeting
The ICC's Revenge on Behalf of Drug Dealers, Against Philippine President Duterte, Who Fought Them and Saved 100 Million Filipinos from the Drugs-Death Industry—ignoring the fact that every victory comes at a cost
Canada Expresses Concerns Regarding U.S. Trade Policies Before G7 Meeting
FBI Alerts of Increasing Smishing Scams Aiming at Mobile Users
World Bank Officials Facing Examination for Travel-Related Carbon Emissions
EU and Canada Declare Countermeasures in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren: An In-Depth Exploration of Their Marital Struggles and Current Co-Parenting Efforts
Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Detained in Manila Under ICC Warrant
Mark Carney Chosen as Head of Canada's Liberal Party, Poised to Assume Role of Prime Minister
Russia Kicks Out British Diplomats in Escalated Tensions
Significant Rescue Effort in Progress Following Collision Between Tanker and Cargo Ship in the North Sea
Pope Francis Exhibits Signs of Recovery, Yet Remains Hospitalized
Report of Radioactive Coolant Leak at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Reactor
Trump Administration Launches Self-Deportation App for Undocumented Immigrants
Syria Wraps Up Military Campaign Amid Extensive Violence and Large-Scale Executions
Trump Remarks on the Arrest of a Pro-Palestinian Student at Columbia University
Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury to Resign Following Assault Conviction
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Prepares for Spring Statement Amid Economic Challenges
Home Secretary Denies Public Inquiry into Sir David Amess's Murder
UK Energy Bills to Increase by 80 Pence to Support Discounts for Households Near Pylons
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention Amid Security Concerns
Escalating Vandalism Targets Tesla Amid Political Controversies
Former Security Adviser Cautions That UK Troop Presence in Ukraine May Last for Years
Demonstrations Break Out as Individual Ascends Big Ben Carrying Palestinian Flag
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe Suspended Amid Allegations of Violence and Bullying
Private spacecraft Athena has successfully landed close to the Moon's south pole.
Trump Administration Unveils Gold Card Visa Program Exempting Foreign Assets from U.S. Taxation
Trump Holds White House Summit for Cryptocurrency Leaders Amid Financial Scandals
×