The government of the United Kingdom says nearly £162 million was spent on Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral & related events following her death in September, 2022.
Finance minister John Glen stated this in a written statement to parliament on May 18, 2023. The elaborate state funeral for Britain’s longest-serving monarch, held on September 19, entailed a vast security operation for hundreds of foreign heads of state & royals.
It followed hundreds of thousands of people queuing round the clock for days to view her coffin as it lay in state at the UK parliament in London & in Edinburgh, which also required costly security & logistical arrangements.
According to Glen, the total estimated cost ran to £161.7 million, with the interior ministry — responsible for policing — accounting for the biggest proportion (£73.7 million). The Department for Culture, Media & Sport spent £57.4 million, while the Scottish government billed £18.8 million.