Westminster attack: Thousands to attend funeral of PC Keith Palmer

Full police honours to be bestowed on late officer as coffin carried to Southwark Cathedral

PC Palmer posing for a photo with a US tourist just 45 minutes before the incident in which he was fatally stabbed by terrorist Khalid Masood (Facebook)

PC Keith Palmer, who was murdered in the Westminster terror attack, will be honoured with a full police funeral on Monday.

The 48-year-old was stabbed to death by Khalid Masood as he carried out his duties on the cobbled forecourt of the Palace of Westminster.

His coffin will be taken from the Palace of Westminster, where it has lain in rest overnight, to Southwark Cathedral for the funeral on Monday, followed by a private cremation.

The Queen gave permission for PC Palmer's body to rest in Westminster's Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, an honour normally reserved for heads of state.

Full service funerals are normally only held when a police officer or member of staff dies while they are carrying out their duty, Scotland Yard said.

Thousands of officers from across the country are expected to line the streets around the cathedral and could take part in the service as ushers.

Four other innocent people were killed and dozens of others injured in the 82-second atrocity on Wednesday March 22, which ended with Masood being shot dead.

Andreea Cristea, 31, Leslie Rhodes, 75, Kurt Cochran, 54, and Aysha Frade, 44, died after he ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

Press Association