Taxpayers in the UK paid approximately £162 million ($201 million) for Queen Elizabeth II’s state burial and related expenses after her passing in September, the government said on Thursday in its first estimate made available to the public.
Early in May, a lavish state burial for Britain’s longest-reigning monarch took place, requiring a massive security operation to protect hundreds of foreign heads of state and royals.
The interior ministry, which is in charge of policing, accounted for the largest percentage of the total expenditure (£73.7 million), according to finance minister John Glen in a written declaration to parliament.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport spent £57.4 million, while the Scottish government billed £18.8 million.
“The death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, and the period of national mourning that followed was a moment of huge national significance,” Glen said.
The disclosure comes shortly after the coronation earlier this month of Elizabeth’s son, King Charles III, with its likely bill raising eyebrows – and complaints – as many Britons struggle with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Buckingham Palace has rejected reports that the total for that vast security operation would top £100 million.