London: After the Metropolitan Police force called Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral its largest-ever operation, now the Civil Service has said the same.
Government sources say all those involved view their part in the proceedings as a “privilege” and a “genuine honour”, the BBC reported.
There are more than 100 civil servants working shifts on the central operational team handling events related to the Queen’s death, with efforts headed up by the permanent secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Planning for the event of the Queen’s death has been going on for “many years”, sources added.
Officials are convinced the funeral on Monday will be the “largest event the UK has hosted in decades, possibly ever”, the BBC report said.
Hundreds of world leaders and dignitaries – including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – are making the trip to London for the occasion.
Mourners in London have been braving chilly nights and waiting times of at least 24 hours to pay their last respects to the Queen.
