The famous and meticulous “Operation London Bridge” anticipating for years the death of the queen and the days that will follow is well known. But it will have to be adapted after the death of the monarch on Thursday in Scotland, far from the British capital.
Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday at the age of 96 at her summer residence in Balmoral, Scotland. It is therefore another procedure, “Operation Unicorn”, which will be followed in the days to come.
The unicorn is a symbol of Scotland and is featured on the Scottish coat of arms, along with the English lion.
Even before the announcement of the death and while the royal doctors had expressed their concerns on Thursday about the state of health of the monarch, certain aspects of the London Bridge operation had already been activated: the presenters of the BBC had by example, all dressed in their obligatory black suits and ties.
According to Scottish media, the phrase ‘Operation Unicorn’ to stage a royal death in Scotland was first used in Parliament in 2017 in anticipation of crowds from around the world expected to rush into the British nation.
According to the Scottish daily The Nationalthe Scottish Parliament will be immediately suspended following the announcement of the death of Elizabeth II.
Fans, journalists and world leaders are expected to visit Scotland.
“If the Queen dies in Scotland, her body will rest in the Palace of Holyroodhouse (the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh), with her coffin then being transported to the Cathedral” in the center of the Scottish capital, indicates The National.
The public will be able to sign a book of condolences in front of parliament, according to the newspaper.
His body must then be transported to London on board a royal train, without it being known for the moment how many days he would remain in Scotland.
The funeral is supposed to take place ten days after the death.