£162 million spent on funeral of Queen Elizabeth II – UK government

The first public financial estimate of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has revealed that her death last September cost UK taxpayers nearly £162 million ($201 million). This was contained in a statement released by the government on Thursday.

The elaborate state funeral for Britain’s longest-serving monarch, which was held in early May, entailed a vast security operation for hundreds of foreign heads of state and royals.

In a written statement to parliament, finance minister, John Glen, said the total estimated cost ran into £161.7 million, with the interior ministry, responsible for policing, accounting for the biggest proportion (£73.7 million).

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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport spent £57.4 million, while the Scottish government billed £18.8 million.