edisiindonesia.com The death of Queen Elizabeth II last week could cost the British government USD 10 million or Rp. 149.7 billion for her state funeral.
Although the British government has not officially disclosed the costs that will be incurred, but with various preparations to international invitations, such as the President of the United States Joe Biden, the Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand Jacinda Adern, and the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, the British government will certainly have to spend a lot of money on the funeral.
Quoted from News.com.au, Friday (16/9), the state funeral is a state-financed event. This means that it is financed from people's taxes. The funeral was last held to bury Prince Philip or the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Previously British figures, such as PM Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II were also buried with state burials. Even the funeral of the mother of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 was estimated to cost USD 10.34 million or Rp. 154.7 billion.
According to a report by the Uk House of Representatives, the cost includes USD 1.5 million or Rp. 22.4 billion for three days of residency and USD 8.2 million or Rp. 122.7 billion for security.
Then the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997 also cost a lot, namely USD 9.6 million or Rp. 143.7 billion.
However, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II has not beaten the cost of the state funeral of the US President, Ronald Reagan in 2004 of USD 400 million or Rp. 5.9 trillion. Also with the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 which cost USD 14.8 million or Rp. 221.5 billion. The most expensive funeral expenses in history were when Alexander the Great died and his body was wearing a gold-plated coffin and carried in a golden chariot.
However, in the midst of the various costs that will be incurred, the government still provides the British royal family with the cost of supporting their duties called a Sovereign Grant of USD 164.7 million or Rp. 2.4 trillion.
This huge expenditure certainly sparked anti-monarchy sentiment in Britain and its commonwealth countries. But for supporters of the monarchy, the huge expenses were not a problem because the Queen had worked her whole life for the British people.
"She (the Queen) deserves it. Maybe not for any future king, but he definitely earned £5 million. It's nothing for the budget," Susan Dinger, 63, told News Corp Australia.
I know we're all struggling at the moment but she's our Queen, so money is well spent," explained Caroline Krauza (58 years old) who also agreed.
But for the younger generation, they disagree with the expenditure.
"It's kind of ridiculous, I think the money could have been used better but over the years we've spent that money on royal weddings, royal events, running a royal household – one more expense doesn't matter," Millie Davies (20 years old) said.
Likewise with Mates Louis Burn and Charlie Jones, who are both 24 years old, disagree with the huge expenditure. For them the royal family gets more income.
But many people have different voices, depending on their support for the British monarchy.
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