September 16, 2022.
Thousands of people from all over the world are expected to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral service in the UK. A number of heads of state are on the guest list for the service. Holly Williams reports that it’s a huge security challenge.
The United Kingdom has a lot of experience organizing public events, from Princess Diana’s funeral to the royal weddings of her children.
All those events have been meticulously prepared. This isn’t the same. The most complex security operation London has ever undertaken is expected to take place during the funeral of the queen.
In the U.K., most police don’t carry guns, so the deployment of armed police is more unusual. Police are keeping a close eye on the large crowds that are gathering to pay their respects to the monarch.
The funeral will be held at an abbey. The capital of Britain is full of historic buildings. Even without the large crowds currently swelling its population, London can feel like a difficult maze.
Only a stone’s throw from London’s crowded shopping and entertainment district, the West End, is the location of the British Houses of Parliament.
Two police officers were stabbed in the busy district.
The police officers were praised by the mayor for doing their duty. He said that the incident was not terrorism related.
As President Biden and his wife prepare to attend the funeral of the queen, the violence highlights the tense security situation.
The crowned royalty from other European nations, the Japanese emperor, and the other members of Britain’s own royal family will be joining them.
The queen’s funeral is similar to organizing 100 official state visits at the same time.
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