LONDON (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral on Monday will be shown by around 125 cinemas across Britain, while parks, squares and cathedrals will also set up viewing screens for the huge ceremonial event, the government said.
The funeral service at Westminster Abbey and related processions across London will also be shown live on television by the BBC, ITV and Sky, the culture department said in a statement.
Presidents, prime ministers and royalty from around the world are expected at the funeral of Britain’s longest reigning monarch, who died on Sept. 8 aged 96.
The government has declared a public holiday for the funeral and it could command a higher audience than seen for other major events from recent British history including Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, the 2012 London Olympics and royal weddings.
Admission to the cinema screenings is free with many of the screenings already at capacity, the UK Cinema Association said on Thursday.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lined up for hours this week to pay their respects at Elizabeth’s coffin, which is lying in state at Westminster Hall until early on Monday.
(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar Editing by Frances Kerry)
