Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral presents a major security challenge. WGN Radio 720

LONDON (AP) — The only monarch’s funeral that most Britons know involves the largest security operation London has ever seen.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said Monday’s state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was an “unprecedented” security challenge, with hundreds of thousands crowding central London and 500 emperors, kings, queens, presidents and It says the guest list for the prime minister’s and other leaders’ funerals is drawn from all over the world.

“It has been decades since so many world leaders gathered together,” Khan said. “This is unprecedented … in relation to the different things we are juggling.”

“There can be bad guys out there who want to do damage to individuals and world leaders,” Khan told the Associated Press. We are working very hard with the agency and many others.”

Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Stuart Cundy said the “very complicated” policing operation was the largest in the history of the London police, surpassing the 2012 London Olympics.

More than 10,000 police officers will be on duty on Monday, with reinforcements coming from all 43 UK police forces. Hundreds of volunteer marshals and military members also act as stewards along the marching route.

They’re just the most visible part of the security operation, running from a high-tech control center near the Lambeth Bridge, not far from the Houses of Parliament.

Road drains and trash cans are searched and sealed. On Mondays, there are police wardens on roofs, sniffer dogs on the streets, Marines on the Thames, and mounted police on horseback.

Drone flights have been temporarily banned in central London, and a number of flights have been grounded at Heathrow to ensure the noise of the aircraft does not interfere with funerals.

Authorities face the challenge of keeping 500 world leaders safe. Presidents, prime ministers and royals gather off-site before taking buses to the monastery, with the exception of US President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to arrive in an armored limousine known as the Beast.

Another challenge is the sheer size of the crowds expected to gather around Westminster Abbey, along the route the coffin travels past Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park after the funeral. to Windsor, about 20 miles (32 km) away, where an additional 2,000 officers will be on duty.

The Queen will be buried with her husband Prince Philip, who died last year at the age of 99, in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Police have deployed more than 22 miles (36 kilometers) of barriers in central London to control crowds, and as a million people flock to London’s ceremonial center, transport bosses are pushing through crowded train stations, Be prepared for buses, subway trains. Subways are running later than usual, and rail companies are adding extra services to help people get home.

While many will mourn the Queen, support for the monarchy is far from universal. has already been criticized for his arrest.

Mr Kandi said it was made clear to officers that “people have a right to protest”.

“Our response here in London is balanced, with police taking action only when absolutely necessary,” he said.

London Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the goal was to keep the event safe, saying: “This is clearly a solemn event, so we will try to keep it as discreet as possible.”

Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, which holds funerals at the 900-year-old abbey, said preparations are going well despite occasional security glitches.

“It was a great moment at the monastery where the flower arranger was waiting and there were no flowers because the police didn’t recognize what the van was and the flowers were sent back,” he said.

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Follow AP coverage of Queen Elizabeth II at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii.