Approximately a quarter of a million individuals were able to pay their respects to the Queen while she lay in state, fewer than the projected 400,000.
Yesterday, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan provided the statistic following an emotional day of pomp and ceremony commemorating the former monarch’s funeral.
However, it instantly prompted inquiries on the arrangements for the Westminster Hall homage.
According to the Parliament website, 320,000 individuals witnessed Winston Churchill’s lying in state in 1965, which lasted three days as opposed to four and a half days this time. In 1952, over 300,000 people reportedly paid obeisance to King George VI.
Sources indicated that airport-style security measures were a role, and that the tally, which has yet to be finalized, was significantly more ‘robust’ than for past events.
According to one source cited by MailOnline, past estimations should be taken with a grain of salt. They stated, “It appears that prior Black Rods have had a never-ending desire for each number to increase whenever there is a lie in state.”
Approximately a quarter of a million individuals were able to pay their respects to the Queen while she lay in state, fewer than the projected 400,000.
Yesterday, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan provided the statistic following an emotional day of pomp and ceremony commemorating the former monarch’s funeral.
David Beckham (shown center) was among many who waited in line for hours, and the line itself became a subject of significant fascination.
Ms. Donelan referred to the line for Westminster Hall as “phenomenal” as she praised the volunteers who helped handle and assist recent events, such as the lying-in-state.
She told Sky News that more than 250,000 people had viewed the casket, but that officials were still “calculating the actual numbers.”
David Beckham was among those who waited in line for hours, and the line itself became a subject of significant fascination. It is believed that the rate at which it traveled fluctuated greatly, with weather and worker acclimatization being among the contributing causes.
Ms. Donelan stated on BBC Breakfast, “There is no dress rehearsal for this circumstance.” It has been in the works for years, but we’ve tested everything and collaborated with community groups.’
She commended the assistance of the Samaritans, the Red Cross, the police, and the South Bank businesses that opened their doors to those in line.
“It took a true team effort to allow people to have that moment to say farewell, and I want to thank everyone who was involved — all the volunteers, all the marshals, all the stewards, it was wonderful.”
Ms. Donelan stated that the majority of British citizens would view the cost of the Queen’s burial as “money well spent,” but she was unable to estimate the cost.
Asked by Sky News about the expense of the funeral, she responded, “I don’t know the specific figures, but I believe the British public would argue that it was money well spent.”
“You saw so many thousands out there, and I don’t believe anyone could argue that our late monarch didn’t deserve that send-off, given the 70 years of dedication and selfless service she rendered.”
She stated that it would be ludicrous to argue otherwise.
“There was a strong sense of community coming together. She continued, “I always think of our late monarch as the cement that held society together.”
On September 9, the day after the Queen died after a 70-year reign, King Charles III ruled that a period of mourning would be observed until seven days after the funeral.
Members of the royal family are not expected to participate in formal engagements, and flags will remain at half-staff at royal residences until 8 a.m. on the final day of royal mourning.
The deaths of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother had left them distraught, and at times their anguish was evident, with Charles seeming emotional and close to tears at the state funeral.
During the lengthy day, the Countess of Wessex was also observed crying, as did the Duchess of Sussex, who returned with the Duke of Sussex to the royal family to express their sorrow.
But Charles and his family have been comforted by the public’s support and love, particularly the tens of thousands who gathered to watch the late monarch’s funeral procession make its long trek through the city and on to Windsor Castle for the burial service.
The Queen was finally laid to rest alongside her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, during a special twilight burial attended by only immediate family members.
According to the family’s website, it was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, and the Queen and Philip were interred at The King George VI Memorial Chapel.
The royal Twitter account posted a photograph of the Queen taken at Balmoral in 1971, along with the following message: “May angels sing you to your rest.” In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Charles cited this passage from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in his September 12 address to MPs and peers.
The wreath covering the Queen’s coffin was adorned with a handwritten inscription from the King that said, ‘In love and dedicated memory.’ His name is Charles R.
Charles commissioned the floral tribute, which substituted a wreath of Balmoral flowers with leaves and blooms from the grounds of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Highgrove.
In January 1965, British Naval Officers hold vigil over the casket of Winston Churchill at Westminster Hall.
A portion of the queue to view Churchill’s state funeral in 1965
The quiet committal service in St George’s Chapel contrasted with the earlier state funeral. The Queen’s close servants, including her senior dresser and personal adviser Angela Kelly, as well as persons such as Earl Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, were there.
The state funeral at Westminster Abbey was attended by dignitaries, including hundreds of heads of state, and London was packed with mourners, necessitating the Metropolitan Police’s largest-ever police operation.
Foreign royalty, prominent UK politicians, and world leaders, such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, were among the 2,000 people in attendance at the abbey.
Ms. Donelan stated that no date has been set for the coronation of Charles and that no decisions have been made about the event’s planning.
Asked if the proceedings should be scaled back owing to the cost-of-living problem, she told LBC, “Of course, we will evaluate everything, but we haven’t taken any judgments yet.”
She described the crowning of the Queen as a “wonderful event” and recalled “how the country came together” for the Jubilee festivities, adding that such events “can in many ways also benefit the economy.”