More than 250.000 people queued for hours to pass the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to pay their respects in the days leading up to her funeral in London, the British government said today.
Before the solemn state funeral yesterday in London, after which the Queen was buried in a private ceremony in the chapel at Windsor Castle, the coffin with her body was displayed for five days in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the British Parliament where citizens could pay their respects.
"More than 250.000 people passed through Parliament, that's a preliminary figure for now," culture minister Michelle Donelan told Sky News television.
When asked how much the funeral cost the taxpayer, she said she did not know, but expressed the opinion that the British people would consider it "money well spent".
"We saw thousands of people" coming to the funeral "and I don't think anyone can insinuate that our late queen did not deserve that farewell given the duty and selfless service she performed for more than 70 years," said the minister.
"I have always regarded our late Queen as the glue that holds our society together," she said.
Britain resumed normal life today, suspended for 12 days due to emotions and commemorations related to the death of Elizabeth II.
Although the image of the funeral and the Queen dominates the front pages of all British newspapers today, the cost of living crisis and social movements will quickly return to the fore.
Queen Elizabeth II (96) died on September 8 after 70 years of reign.
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