Security high in London as world leaders arrive ahead of Queen's funeral

LONDON - Security is high in London as leaders from around the world begin arriving ahead of Monday's funeral for Queen Elizabeth II.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lands later today as part of a Canadian delegation that includes Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and four former prime ministers.

En route to London. There, we’ll join people from around the world to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and pay tribute to her lifetime of public service.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 16, 2022

Hundreds of thousands of members of the public are expected to travel to London for the funeral, as well as dozens of other world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden.

Streets around the Palace of Westminster were blocked off with metal barricades today, with a large contingent of police from across the United Kingdom directing the crowd who had come to pay their respects to the queen.

A visiting professor at the University of Suffolk who studies crowd management says the security plan for the queen's funeral has been in development for decades.

G. Keith Still says the effort involves high levels of co-operation between agencies to manage elements that include VIP security, counterterrorism, crowd management, as well as the health and welfare of those who gather.