The government faced a substantial cost estimated at £162 million due to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the subsequent national mourning period, as per the Treasury. The state ceremony, which occurred on the 19th of September 2022, happened 11 days post the Queen’s demise, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Westminster, where she was laid in state.
Most of the expenses were attributed to the Home Office, totaling £74 million, with the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport following closely behind at a cost of £57 million. These expenditures covered the Queen’s funeral and the related pre-events, including her lying-in-state at Westminster Abbey.
John Glen, the Treasury’s chief secretary, underscored the government’s primary focus on conducting these events with grace, coupled with ensuring the public’s safety and security. Supplementary funding was disbursed as needed, with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland being fully reimbursed for their expenses.
The elaborate costs spanning across various government sectors included the Department for Transport (£2.565 million), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (£2.096 million), and the Ministry of Defense (£2.89 million). The Scottish government bore costs amounting to £18.756 million, while the Welsh government’s expenditure amounted to £2.202 million, totaling £161.743 million.
UK government departments faced an approximate £162m expense due to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the national mourning period, states the Treasury https://t.co/3V2tIqZ31n
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The state funeral was unparalleled, marked by its immense scale and meticulous logistical preparations. Individuals from various spheres, including renowned personalities like David Beckham, patiently queued for hours to offer their tributes. The majestic ceremony at Westminster Abbey, attended by global leaders, foreign royalty, and a congregation of 2,000, was viewed by millions worldwide.
Downing Street clarified that the incurred cost was a necessary investment to ensure the seamless execution of the event, allowing individuals from the UK and beyond to participate safely in honoring the Queen. This event notably stood as the first state funeral since Sir Winston Churchill’s in 1965 and was deemed the most significant ceremonial gathering since World War II.
While the nation reminisced on Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable reign, the substantial financial commitment underscores the significance placed on memorializing her life and facilitating people’s engagement in the mourning process both locally and globally.
