Police booked 45,000 nights in hotel rooms in 10 days during the huge security operation following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said.
The policing plan involved 10,000 officers and staff on duty on the day of the queen’s funeral, with 3,000 officers drafted in from outside forces to help.
The operation, the biggest the UK has seen, swung into action as the world’s eyes fell on London.
The capital is used to staging big events, including the London Olympics and international football finals, but the length of mourning and the number of global leaders in the city meant a different mission altogether.
Like large-scale sporting events, years of planning had gone into handling the death of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III ascending the throne. But unlike sporting events, there was no one on hand who had the experience of having done it before.
Sir Mark gave evidence on Wednesday for the first time as commissioner to the London Assembly police and crime committee.
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King Charles III follows behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre on top, as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey after her state funeral. Reuters -
The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth travels down the Long Walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. AP -
Pall bearers carry the coffin into St. George's Chapel, in Windsor. AP -
A Royal Guard stands by floral tributes at Windsor Castle. AFP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is pulled on a gun carriage by Royal Navy sailors to Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin of the queen after her state funeral in Westminster Abbey. AP -
Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as Queen Elizabeth's coffin passes at Windsor Castle. PA -
Members of the royal household stand with Queen Elizabeth's Corgis, Muick and Sandy, as they await the funeral cortege at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. AP -
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the state funeral service in London. AFP -
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is pulled along The Mall following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey. AP -
Flowers thrown by the public lie on the hearse carrying the coffin as it arrives at Windsor Castle. AP -
King Charles at the state funeral in London. Reuters -
People sleep before the funeral service at Westminster Abbey. AFP -
A giant screen honouring the late queen at Piccadilly Circus in London. EPA -
King Charles looks towards the coffin of his mother at Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, sitting in a car as a British flag is reflected in its window. AFP -
Buckingham Palace household staff return through the gates of the palace after paying their respects. AFP -
Staff Sergeant Yeoman Darren Fowler, right, and Captain Rebecca Cooper from the Royal Signals at the Elizabeth Tower, checking that Big Ben Chimes in time with gunfire during the state funeral procession. EPA -
King Charles salutes as he is driven past Wellington Arch in London. Getty Images -
The London skyline is seen as the procession moves down The Mall. Getty Images -
The coffin of the queen is pulled on a gun carriage by Royal Navy sailors from Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Princess Charlotte arrives by car ahead of the funeral in central London. AP -
The coffin is carried into St George's Chapel for the Committal Service, in Windsor Castle. AP -
A woman cries in London's Hyde Park while watching the funeral service. AP -
Prince George looks towards his father Prince William during the Committal Service at St George's Chapel. Getty Images -
Queen Elizabeth's coffin is driven along the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle. Reuters -
People waiting along the route that the coffin will be pulled on a gun carriage in central London. AP -
King Charles and the Queen Consort Camilla follow the coffin at St George's Chapel. AP -
The Royal State Hearse arrives at Windsor Castle. Getty Images -
King Charles follows the State Gun Carriage as it carries the coffin at Westminster Abbey. PA -
Members of the public gather to see the coffin as it travels from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London. Getty Images -
King Charles and members of the royal family follow behind the coffin as it is carried into Westminster Abbey. PA -
The Imperial State Crown resting on the coffin. Getty Images -
The hearse transporting the coffin is covered in flowers thrown by the public. AFP -
The Bearer Party of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carries the coffin from Westminster Abbey. AFP
“I think we booked about 45,000 hotel room nights in over 10 days. Just because you’ve got so many people moving around the country on mutual aid,” he said.
During a UK visit by then US president Donald Trump in 2018, there were complaints as officers brought in to help in the capital were left to sleep on camp beds crammed into sports halls.
A visit by the US president the following year saw officers given a £50 allowance and hotel accommodation, after the Police Federation described the conditions the previous year as “unacceptable”.
Members of the public saw hotel room prices surge amid huge demand for accommodation in London at the time of the queen’s funeral.
Mourners booking a room in the centre of London for the night before the service were charged hundreds of pounds more than people staying a week later.
