World leaders descend on London as country slows to a halt

London and much of the United Kingdom will be slowed to a virtual standstill today as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place in London. As many as five hundred heads of state, royals, and heads of government were invited, with most expected to attend. The Queen met many of them in her travels to more than a hundred countries.

The United Kingdom has been given a bank holiday, with many businesses choosing to close their doors for the day out of respect for the late monarch. This move has drawn some criticism in places, as some supermarkets, food banks, and even some clinics have closed, leaving many without vital services.

Of course, the capital itself will be under some of the tightest security ever seen. Operation London Bridge, a protocol put in place years ago in preparation for the Queen’s death, is well underway. British leadership has compared the scale of the event to the 2012 Olympics, London Marathon, and other Royal weddings all rolled into one.

Interestingly, the visiting world leaders will be bussed to the funeral from a central location. They’ve all been banned from using helicopters, private vehicles, or any other form of transport. President Joe Biden, however, is an exception to the rule after security concerns were raised.