THE mega-policing operation surrounding the Queen’s funeral is likely to cost the taxpayer millions of pounds at a time when Brits are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. 

Security surrounding the events in the wake of the Queen’s death has been reported as the Metropolitan Police’s biggest ever policing operation. 

Experts have said that about 10,000 officers will be on duty per day in the English capital alone in the run-up to the Queen’s funeral.

The event itself on Monday, which will be attended by dignitaries including US President Joe Biden, will see thousands more officers positioned around Westminster Abbey including roof-top snipers along the route of the procession.

Police chiefs have warned that the funeral could be a target for terrorists and are also planning for disruption from protesters.

The estimated costs of the policing operation have not yet been disclosed, but the security costs of previous royal events suggest the total sum could be eye-watering. 

Policing costs for the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002 totalled over £5 million, while security for the wedding of Prince William and Kate came to more than £6m, according to figures obtained by the PA news agency. 

Other high-security events such as former US president Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK in 2019 — which cost the taxpayer £3.5m — also suggest the figure could reach into the many millions. 

The funeral comes as millions struggle to cope with the soaring prices, and ministers face calls to offer more help to struggling families. 

The guest list of those expected to attend the state funeral, which includes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, has also sparked further criticism. 

Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign co-chairman Mark Campbell said serious questions should be asked of the British government over its ongoing support for Turkey’s leader. 

He said: “I truly hope the British authorities will detain Erdogan upon his arrival … for his crimes against the Kurds, but I rather suspect he will be welcomed with open arms, promises of more arms deals and millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money will be spent on protecting him.”

A spokeswoman from Peace in Kurdistan added: “It is grotesque at a time of a cost-of-living crisis that Britain should waste expenditure on lavish state visits to leaders such as President Erdogan, who is currently waging a brutal war against his own people.”