Queen Elizabeth II Funeral Cost Breakdown vs Other British Ceremonies – But Who Paid For It?
It was an expensive homage to Queen Elizabeth II, whose burial was held yesterday.
The burial for Britain's longest-reigning king was unlike anything the country had ever seen, and the expense reflected that.
According to The Washington Post, the security expense for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011 was $7 million.
However, because Monday's gathering was attended by a larger number of foreign leaders, the security expenditures were most certainly greater.
In the run-up to the burial, about 15,000 officers were on duty in London, a figure not seen since the capital hosted the 2012 Olympics.
Queen Elizabeth II Funeral Cost
The British government has yet to clarify how much the event cost. Nonetheless, a former royal security officer told the New York Post that he believes the event's protection alone cost more than $7.5 million.
"This is the largest policing operation that the United Kingdom has ever conducted," Simon Morgan told the newspaper.
He also stated that the entire cost is likely to be more than the security expenditure for the London Olympics in 2012.
Actual expenditures will not be disclosed for some years after the Queen's death.
Queen Elizabeth II Funeral vs. Others
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is the first state funeral held in the United Kingdom since Winston Churchill's death in 1965.
In 1952, the Queen's father, King George VI, was also given a state funeral.
It is still said that the Queen's burial cost significantly more than Princess Diana's and the Queen Mother's in 1997 and 2002, respectively.
The cost of the Queen Mother's lying-in-state was $954,000, with security costing $5 million.
According to The Express, the complete expense of Queen Elizabeth II's burial is likely to have been put aside in recent years by royalty and the government.
Despite the royal family's estimated net worth of $28 billion, the majority of their income and expenses are covered by the Sovereign Grant and the private Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster.
Read also: Queen Elizabeth II Funeral: Special Pals Waiting For Her Coffin Triggered More Sadness Among Fans
Who Paid For Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Costs?
However, state funerals, such as the Queen's, are eventually invoiced to the British taxpayer.
Though the UK may gain from higher tourist income as mourners visit from abroad, many predict the day will result in negative economic growth in September.
Following her funeral at Westminster Abbey, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was transported to St. George Chapel at Windsor Castle, where she will be buried alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, her parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret following a burial service.
