THE King today thanked emergency workers for providing a "ring of steel" for his mother's funeral on Monday.

The monarch greeted officers at the Metropolitan Police Service Special Operations Room in London this morning ahead of what has been described as Britain's biggest ever security operation.

The 73-year-old was pictured waving at crowds before chatting to coppers involved.

He also shook hands with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and spoke to Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley during the visit.

Police are bracing for hundreds of thousands of people to pour into London to experience the pomp-filled procession next week.

Almost 15,000 cops are taking part from forces across the country.

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More than 30 arrests have been made so far as part of the biggest policing operation in the Met's history in the lead-up to the big day.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said by Friday morning 34 people had been arrested for a "range of offences" but described this as "relatively few".

The senior officer told reporters the "hugely complex" operation is the biggest in the force's history, surpassing the London 2012 Olympics which saw up to 10,000 police officers on duty per day.

It will also be the largest global protection operation the force has dealt with, as hundreds of world leaders, dignitaries and other VIPs are expected to attend the Queen's state funeral on Monday.

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Specialist teams involved include motorbike escort riders, mounted branch carrying out patrols on horseback, firearms officers, dog teams and the marine unit.

The force has used more than 22 miles (36km) of barriers in central London alone to control crowds and keep key areas secure.

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