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PC Keith Palmer: Thousands of officers lining funeral route PC Keith Palmer: Thousands of officers lining funeral route
(35 minutes later)
The body of PC Keith Palmer, who was killed in last month's Westminster attack, has begun a final journey through central London. The funeral of PC Keith Palmer, who was killed in last month's Westminster attack, is taking place at Southwark Cathedral in central London.
Thousands of police officers have lined the route of his funeral cortege. Thousands of police officers lined the route of a 2.6-mile funeral cortege starting at the Palace of Westminster.
His coffin is being taken from Westminster to Southwark Cathedral for a funeral service at 14:00 BST.
PC Palmer, 48, who was married with a five-year-old daughter, was guarding the Houses of Parliament on 22 March when he was stabbed by Khalid Masood.PC Palmer, 48, who was married with a five-year-old daughter, was guarding the Houses of Parliament on 22 March when he was stabbed by Khalid Masood.
The service will be followed a private cremation attended by his family. A floral tribute left on top of his hearse read: "No 1 daddy".
Officers and members of the public are lining the route as his coffin travels from a chapel at the Palace of Westminster. The service, which is being attended by around 50 members of PC Palmer's family including his wife, child, parents, brother and sisters, will be followed a private cremation.
Live: Funeral of PC Keith Palmer
PC Palmer was killed as he tried to stop Masood enter the Houses of Parliament. Masood, who had already driven into people on Westminster Bridge, was shot dead by police.
Officers and members of the public lined the route as his coffin travelled from a chapel at the Palace of Westminster.
His body had been lying in rest there by special permission of the Queen.His body had been lying in rest there by special permission of the Queen.
His coffin was taken to the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on Sunday and received by a guard of honour from his police branch, the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. The coffin was taken to the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on Sunday and received by a guard of honour from his police branch, the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.
The Charlton Athletic season-ticket holder had served in the Metropolitan Police for 15 years.The Charlton Athletic season-ticket holder had served in the Metropolitan Police for 15 years.
Members of his family attended a short private service in the chapel on Sunday, before officers watched over his coffin throughout the night.Members of his family attended a short private service in the chapel on Sunday, before officers watched over his coffin throughout the night.
Two thousand Met officers are on duty for the funeral in policing and ceremonial roles.Two thousand Met officers are on duty for the funeral in policing and ceremonial roles.
Sara Thornton, who leads the National Police Chiefs' Council, said officers from all over the country were travelling to London to line the route, while others were holding a two-minute silence outside police stations as the funeral takes place.Sara Thornton, who leads the National Police Chiefs' Council, said officers from all over the country were travelling to London to line the route, while others were holding a two-minute silence outside police stations as the funeral takes place.
'Sadness and loss''Sadness and loss'
"I don't think we will have ever seen a police funeral of this size," she said."I don't think we will have ever seen a police funeral of this size," she said.
"Keith didn't hesitate to act when confronted by a terrorist - his bravery and his courage are something that all officers are very proud of, but also there is a tremendous sense of sadness and of loss.""Keith didn't hesitate to act when confronted by a terrorist - his bravery and his courage are something that all officers are very proud of, but also there is a tremendous sense of sadness and of loss."
Special sergeant Matthew Warden, from Nottinghamshire, made the journey "because we are all one big family" and special constable Amanda Stansfield, from West Yorkshire Police, said she wanted to show support for her London colleagues.Special sergeant Matthew Warden, from Nottinghamshire, made the journey "because we are all one big family" and special constable Amanda Stansfield, from West Yorkshire Police, said she wanted to show support for her London colleagues.
Campbell McBryer, a retired counter-terrorism officer who served with Sussex police for 23 years, said he was "proud" of the support people had shown.Campbell McBryer, a retired counter-terrorism officer who served with Sussex police for 23 years, said he was "proud" of the support people had shown.
"I just sat and cried when I heard the news," he added."I just sat and cried when I heard the news," he added.
Another well-wisher, David Lewis, from Orpington, said it was important for ordinary Londoners to pay their respects.Another well-wisher, David Lewis, from Orpington, said it was important for ordinary Londoners to pay their respects.
"It just shows as a country that we want to pay our respects to somebody that gave their life to protect the rest of us," he said."It just shows as a country that we want to pay our respects to somebody that gave their life to protect the rest of us," he said.
'Public grief''Public grief'
The Reverend Andrew Nunn, the dean of Southwark Cathedral, told the BBC that it was vital both that the family could grieve privately and for the public to pay their respects. The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, the dean of Southwark Cathedral, told the BBC that it was vital both that the family could grieve privately and for the public to pay their respects.
"I hope for the family they receive the comfort that they need through the service, because they're having to grieve publically and that must be a very, very difficult thing," he said."I hope for the family they receive the comfort that they need through the service, because they're having to grieve publically and that must be a very, very difficult thing," he said.
"But then the rest of the nation needs to pay its respects and say thank you for what PC Palmer actually did in defending in the place where he was serving.""But then the rest of the nation needs to pay its respects and say thank you for what PC Palmer actually did in defending in the place where he was serving."
PC Palmer's name was also added to the National Police Memorial, which records the names of officers who have been killed in the line of duty, during a special ceremony in London.PC Palmer's name was also added to the National Police Memorial, which records the names of officers who have been killed in the line of duty, during a special ceremony in London.
The funeral is the first engagement for new Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.The funeral is the first engagement for new Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.
Flags were flying at half mast above New Scotland Yard to honour PC Palmer.Flags were flying at half mast above New Scotland Yard to honour PC Palmer.
Before attacking PC Palmer, Masood had driven his car into crowds on Westminster Bridge, causing injuries that have resulted in four deaths.Before attacking PC Palmer, Masood had driven his car into crowds on Westminster Bridge, causing injuries that have resulted in four deaths.
Romanian Andreea Cristea, 31, who fell from the bridge into the River Thames, died in hospital on Thursday.Romanian Andreea Cristea, 31, who fell from the bridge into the River Thames, died in hospital on Thursday.
Aysha Frade, 44, who worked at a London sixth-form college, US tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, and retired south London window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, were also killed.Aysha Frade, 44, who worked at a London sixth-form college, US tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, and retired south London window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, were also killed.
Masood was shot by police officers in New Palace Yard, inside the Westminster estate, after he had fatally stabbed PC Palmer.Masood was shot by police officers in New Palace Yard, inside the Westminster estate, after he had fatally stabbed PC Palmer.