After personnel ordered a “temporary shutdown” because of worries the large crowds may “overwhelm” the stewarding operation yesterday, mourners were observed “climbing over fences” to leave flowers for the Queen at Green Park.
After she and her sister were kept away on Sunday ahead of the monarch’s burial on Monday, a former army medic described the situation outside the royal park, close to Piccadilly Road and the Mall, as “total mayhem.”
After waiting in line for three hours, Margaret Pritchard, 73, told the Times that they abruptly closed the park without giving us any advance notice. It was just total anarchy.
In order to prevent people from placing flowers and other tributes to the Queen at the Green Park Floral Tribute Garden, the royal park was shut off at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, police and stewards informed the assembled people.
As mourners rushed to post their condolences, one guy even tweeted a video of individuals leaping the barricade.
People who were completely clothed in M&S clothing were seen climbing the wall to enter Green Park, according to David Whitney. This royal funeral is beginning to resemble Glastonbury a lot.
On Tuesday, Hyde Park was also made available for memorials, and on Sunday, individuals could be seen observing the 8 p.m. moment of quiet in Green Park.
The largest security operation London has ever seen will be involved in the burial of the only king that the majority of Britons have known.
Chloe Staunton, 22, a visitor from Manchester, said that the lengthy lines at Green Park from a half-mile away discouraged her from even making the effort.
She expressed her disappointment to the Times, saying, “It’s just really upsetting because I’ve travelled quite a distance and I have to return home tomorrow, so now I won’t get to witness what’s a very major historical occasion.”
With hundreds of thousands of people congregating in central London with a guest list of 500 emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, and other international leaders, Mayor Sadiq Khan said that today’s state burial presents an “unprecedented” security issue.
This many international leaders haven’t gathered in one spot in decades, Mr Khan added. Regarding the different things we’re juggling, “this is unprecedented.”
He told The Associated Press that “evil people” could be out to harm certain persons or some of our international leaders. “So, the police, the security services, and many, many others are working really hard to ensure that this state funeral is as successful as it can be.”
The largest police operation in the history of the London force, according to Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy, is bigger than the London 2012 Olympics.
In London, he promised, “our reaction would be reasonable, balanced, and police will only take action when it is absolutely required.”
It was important to make the ceremony secure, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, “and attempt to do it in as inconspicuous a fashion as possible, since this is clearly a somber occasion.”
On Monday, there will be more than 10,000 police officers working, including additional officers from each of the 43 police departments in the United Kingdom. Along the parade path, hundreds of volunteer marshals and military personnel will serve as stewards.
They are only the most noticeable aspect of a security operation that is managed by a cutting-edge command center close to Lambeth Bridge and not far from Parliament.
Garbage cans and street drains are being inspected and sealed. Police spotters will be on roofs tomorrow, as well as sniffing dogs, maritime cops, and mounted police riding horses in the streets.
In order to prevent aircraft noise from disturbing the burial ceremony, flying drones above Central London has been temporarily forbidden, and Heathrow Airport is canceling a large number of flights.
The difficulty for the authorities is to keep 500 international leaders secure without upsetting too many diplomatic relations. Except for Mr. Biden, who is anticipated to arrive in his guarded vehicle known as The Beast, presidents, prime ministers, and kings will congregate offsite before being transported by bus to the abbey.
The enormous throngs that are anticipated to assemble outside Westminster Abbey and along the path the casket will take after the burial, via Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park, present another difficulty. It will then be transported by hearse 20 miles away to Windsor, where 2,000 more police officers will be on duty.
The Queen will rest beside her late husband, Prince Philip, who passed away last year at the age of 99, at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.