LONDON — The British government has yet to reveal how much Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will cost on Monday, only saying it will provide details “in due course”.
But the price, which involves elaborate processions, vigils and rituals, is expected to be substantial and will be borne by the state.
Even after adjusting for inflation, her funeral is expected to cost more than Winston Churchill’s funeral, the last British state funeral in 1965, or Queen Elizabeth’s Mother’s Ceremony in 2002. A House of Commons report said it cost £825,000 ($954,000) to lie within the state and £4.3 million ($5 million) for security.
With consumer prices in the UK rising at the fastest pace in 40 years and inflation exceeding 10%, the price tag is high for Queen Elizabeth II. Fueled by soaring energy prices, many are worried about how they will pay for their heating bills this winter as the average household bill will increase by 80% next month. The Bank of England is forecasting a lengthy recession starting later this year.
Anand Menon, Professor of Politics and Foreign Affairs in Europe at King’s College London, said the British “will live with that contradiction”. That’s because “a funeral is a funeral and it’s the Queen,” he said, referring to the Queen, adding, “It also gives us the opportunity to host the biggest diplomatic jamboree ever.” Princes, prime ministers and presidents are expected to travel to London for the funeral.
A bigger problem for the British public could be the lack of transparency regarding the finances of the royal family, including that members of the royal family are not subject to inheritance tax. You pay 40% tax on things.)
The UK Treasury makes payments to the royal family called sovereign grants. The most recent was about $100 million. The family used this subsidy for official royal duties such as visits, payroll and household chores, but it does not cover security costs paid and kept secret by the government.
King Charles III has said he wants the monarchy to be slimmer and more modern. “I think it would be improbable to do both without talking about financial transparency or enormous wealth, where it comes from, what is fair and what is not,” Menon said. I will,” he said.
royal wealth is worth presuming $28 billion.
On Monday, the day of the funeral, the Queen’s coffin is carried from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey in the Royal Navy’s State Gun Carriage. The coffin is taken to Wellington Arch and taken by hearse to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.