The funeral only monarch most Britons have known involves biggest security operation London has ever seen

The funeral only monarch most Britons have known involves biggest security operation London has ever seen

The funeral of the only monarch most Britons have known involves the biggest security operation London has ever seen

Mayor Sadiq Khan says Monday's state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II is an "unprecedented" security challenge, with hundreds of thousands of people packing central London and a funeral guest list of 500 emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and other leaders from around the world.

"It's been decades since this many world leaders were in one place," said Khan. "This is unprecedented ... in relation to the various things that we're juggling."

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said the "hugely complex" policing operation is the biggest in the London force's history, surpassing the London 2012 Olympics.

More than 10,000 police officers will be on duty Monday, with London bobbies supplemented by reinforcements from all of Britain's 43 police forces. Hundreds of volunteer marshals and members of the armed forces will also act as stewards along the processional route.