The UK government reportedly incurred a significant expense of approximately £162 million (equivalent to $200 million) for the funeral and lying-in-state ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II last year, according to a revelation by the UK Treasury on Thursday, May 18.
The state funeral of the beloved monarch, which took place on September 19, 2022, was the first such event since the public funeral of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965. The ceremony, attracting numerous global leaders and esteemed individuals, had ten days of national mourning following the Queen’s passing at 96 on September 8, after an exceptional reign of 70 years.
London’s Westminster Hall served as the epicenter, drawing hundreds of thousands who wished to pay their respects to the longest-serving monarch in the history of the United Kingdom as she lay in state.
In a formal address to Parliament, the government disclosed the costs linked to these ceremonies. The UK Treasury’s Chief Secretary, John Glen, expressed the government’s dedication to ensuring these ceremonies were executed smoothly, their dignified nature preserved, and public safety and security prioritized.
The late Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, were interred in St. George’s Chapel, located within the magnificent Windsor Castle. Prince Philip’s funeral, conducted in 2021 when he was 99 years old, was more modest due to strict adherence to social distancing protocols necessitated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002 lasted three days during her lying-in-state period, costing almost $7 million.
As the United Kingdom bade farewell to an exceptional monarch, the government ensured that the events proceeded smoothly, preserving their solemnity and showcasing the Queen’s profound impact on the nation and the world.