Queen Elizabeth II, England’s longest-serving monarch, died aged 96, and her funeral will be attended by many foreign dignitaries and heads of state including US President and First Lady Joe and Jill Biden, and Indian president Droupadi Murmu. 

As the deceased queen’s body is moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, a large number of people are going to gather as well. Cumulatively, this poses a security risk. 

“I think that is a different quantum of risk”, said Nick Aldworth, speaking to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The man who was in charge of managing security for the Queen Mother added that the funeral will see the same turnout as the 2012 London Olympics, where he was the firearms co-ordinator. The entire footfall will be “compressed into a few days”, Aldworth added.  

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Due to the large presence of people including foreign leaders, there is a “substantial” threat of a terror attack in the UK but Aldworth noted that some security measures are already in place. 

Security measures for the public 

Some semi-permanent security measures are already present at the location, including barriers which will prevent vehicles from driving into crowds. 

Many roads between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Hall have been closed to traffic with metal fencing being put up. 

Security measures for leaders 

Prime Minister Liz Truss’ office didn’t share many details when The Washington Post asked about security checks leaders will have to go through, while acknowledging “arrangements for different leaders will vary.” 

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Foreign dignitaries have been asked to arrive a day earlier, and their accompanying teams are to be trimmed down. They have been encouraged to take commercial flights to prevent London’s private airports from getting clogged. As per British media, the dignitaries have also been asked not to go around in a helicopter.

Biden will most likely appear in his armoured limousine, nicknamed the Beast, due to security concerns. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and President Isaac Herzog of Israel are also likely to bring their own vehicles, unsubstantiated British reports claim.