Quarter of a million file past Queen's coffin
Around 250,000 people queued to see Her Majesty lying in state in Westminster
Last updated 20th Sep 2022
Around a quarter of a million people paid their respects in person to the Queen by viewing her coffin as it lay in state in London, according to a government Cabinet minister.
Culture Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has given the figure the morning.
The nation's longest-reigning monarch was buried at Windsor Castle yesterday.
Ms Donelan said her department was still "crunching the numbers" as to how many people had queued for hours in London to process past the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall, but that she believed they numbered around 250,000.
The royal family is observing another week of mourning for the Queen after a state funeral, filled with emotion and ceremony under the gaze of the world.
Ms Donelan said that most British people would see the cost of the Queen's funeral as "money well spent", but could not put a figure on what that cost might be.
Pressed on Sky News about the cost of the funeral, she said: "I'm not sure of the exact costings but as I say, I think the British public would argue that that was money well spent.
"You saw so many thousands out there and I don't think anybody can suggest that our late monarch didn't deserve that send-off, given the duty and the selfless service that she committed to over 70 years."
She said it would be "downright preposterous" to suggest otherwise.
"It was great sense of the community coming together. I always think of our late monarch as the glue that brought society together," she added.
King Charles III decreed on September 9, the day after the Queen died following her 70-year reign, that a period of mourning would be observed until seven days after the funeral.
Members of the royal family are not expected to carry out official engagements, and flags at royal residences will remain at half-mast until 8am after the final day of royal mourning.
Tributes to the Queen in pictures:
Flowers are being laid outside many of the Queen's homes, following her death. Here a family lay flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace the evening after the news of the Queen's death was made public.
Mourners gather at Buckingham Palace placing flowers and paying their respect
Messages on the flowers included this 'Forever our Queen' message
Even the gates of Buckingham palace were adorned with flowers
Books of condolence have been set up in many places across the UK, including this one at Liverpool Cathedral
Birmingham Cathedral also had a space for remembrance
People were queuing to sign the book of condolence in Birmingham
Flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland
Brighton UK 9th September 2022 - A tribute to The Queen at a bus stop in Brighton today after her death at the age of 96 was announced yesterday .
Floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at the gate of Buckingham Palace.
London, England, UK. 9th Sep, 2022.
Newmarket, UK. 9 September, 2022. Floral tributes left in memory to Queen Elizabeth II after her death on 8th September on a bronze statue designed by Etienne Millner, which is situated at the Newmarket Racecourse entrance which was a gift from the town in the year of her 90th birthday. Pictured is Matt Hancock Conservative MP, for West Suffolk, with his floral tribute the Queen.
Mourners make their way along the Long Walk to pay their respects at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Union Flag flies at half mast at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
John Houston of the Merchant Navy Association pays his respects at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes and messages at the gates of Sandringham House on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Minutes of silence before the game to pay respect after the death of Queen Elizabeth II before the UEFA Europa Conference League match at the London Stadium, London.
London, England, 8th September 2022.
Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II who died on Thursday 8th September.
London, England, UK. 8th Sep, 2022.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie looks at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes left at the gates of Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson looks at floral tributes at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Floral tributes continue to be left outside several locations across the country and the world. Here, on 11th September, at the gates of Buckingham Palace, the crowds continue to gather and leave flowers and other tributes.
Six-year-old Terezka Cernianska leaves flowers at the gates of Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Large crowds gather to show their respect along the A90, Forfar, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is taken to Edinburgh.
Floral tributes left next to a fountain in St James' Park outside Buckingham Palace.
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Her Majesty The Queen's funeral in pictures