London jammed with vast crowd of mourners
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The vast police operation to oversee today's funeral started last night as hundreds of thousands of mourners converged on London. Four thousand Scotland Yard officers went on duty at 4am in the capital and hundreds more started preparing to police the cortege route up the M1.
With up to six million people expected to line the three-and-a-half-mile route from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey and hundreds of thousands of other mourners waiting along the motorway, the day is a logistical nightmare for the police.
However, the Metropolitan Police, which has extensive experience in dealing with mass gatherings believes it has prepared for every eventuality. The main dangers for possible injury and unrest are if people become crushed behind the barriers as they attempt to see the coffin pass by.
People will be allowed on to the motorway bridges above the south- bound carriageway. "We don't want anyone throwing themselves or objects, even flowers, on to the motorway," said a spokeswoman from Bedfordshire Police.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments