A MOURNING couple will be forced to miss the Queen’s funeral as London hotels ‘prey’ on Brits’ grief and TRIPLE their prices overnight.
Mark Godfrey and partner Neil Marcham were hoping to stay in London to pay their respects to the late Queen but were shocked at the prices.
Mark Godfrey, 60, and his partner Neil Marcham were hoping to spend a night at a hotel in London ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday, September 19
When they searched for rates they were stunned to find hotels charging more than triple the price compared to the week after the funeral.
Mr Godfrey, who spoke to the Eastern Daily Press, said: “I looked at hotels but the cheaper ones we were looking at had all sold out and we saw some that were charging as much as £3,000 for a night.”
The healthcare assistant continued: “We are really disappointed we can’t go and annoyed that we were priced out.
“My partner spent 20 years working at Buckingham Palace as a member of household staff, so for him to be able to go to London to pay his last respects would have been of immeasurable importance.”
The couple now say they will have to watch the funeral on their television from home.
When the Norfolk couple heard of Her Majesty’s deteriorating health they were actually already visiting Windsor Castle.
The 60-year-old said it was strange to hear reports of Queen Elizabeth II’s death when they were visiting as ordinary tourists minutes before.
It has been reported that queues have formed more than four miles long as mourners come to London ahead of the funeral.
Hundreds of thousands of people are travelling to be a part of the day and leading up to the service it was estimated 750,000 people would arrive.
The line is winding all the way back to Southwark Park and you can follow updates on the government’s live tracker.
At the Park Plaza County Hall, one of the closet hotels to Westminster Abbey, a double room is available for £1031, whilst the same room is only £268 a week later.
Members of the public wait in line to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II as she lays in state within Westminster Hall on September 15, 2022 in London, England
The London Central City Road Travelodge – the closest available in the chain, advertises a room for £154 on Sunday 18 for one night.
A week later the price tag is slashed in half at £64.99.
Similarly, the Novotel London Waterloo hotel offers a room which costs £500 this weekend but £241 by the September 25.
After they shared their hotel hunting story, they received a mixed response.
In agreement, one person said: “Just goes to show how companies will use any event to boost profits and while people are prepared to pay they’ll continue to get away with it.
“Stay at home, put the telly on and save your money.”
One commenter said: “I’d say these hotels should be ashamed of themselves for profiteering from the death of the Queen.
“However, given the world we live in right now. I very much doubt these hotels would give a fig. As long as their are gullible people out there, then the £’s will come rolling in.”
On the other hand, someone else said: “Don’t blame the hotels for your lack of foresight. As soon as the Queen died, the funeral was either going to be Saturday or Monday.
“We booked both nights at regular prices with no cancellation fees. Once confirmed date, we just cancelled the Friday reservation.”
The state funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey and the service begins at 11am.
It has been reported there are already people camping outside, four days ahead, in order to pay their respects.
People queue near Tower Bridge to pay their respects, following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth
London Hotels are doubling their prices amid days leading to the Queen’s state funeral
