It was the first state funeral since Sir Winston Churchill’s in 1965 and the biggest ceremonial event since World War II,with a military procession and service at Westminster Abbey attended by senior political figures and famous faces from across the world.
In a statement to parliament on Thursday,John Glen,the chief secretary to the Treasury,said the priority at the time had been to make sure the once-in-a-generation event ran smoothly and with “the appropriate level of dignity,while at all times ensuring the safety and security of the public”.
The spending estimates are for marginal costs – those that would not have been incurred by the departments in any case. Glen admitted the Treasury was likely to have to top up departmental budgets as a result.
The Home Office,which has responsibility for policing and national security,accounted for £73.7 million — the biggest portion of the total.
After the Queendied on September 8,aged 96,the UK started 10 days of national mourning.
She died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire,Scotland,and her coffin was displayed at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh for 24 hours. The cost to the Scottish government has been estimated at £18.8 million.