What the British (and the rest of the world) feared unfortunately seems to be looming. This Thursday, September 8, 2022, in an official statement sent by Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s personal doctors expressed their concern: “After a further assessment this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended that she remains under medical supervision.“All the members of the royal family will meet at Balmoral, where Her Majesty has been for several weeks, in a few hours. Harry and Meghan, in Europe since last weekend, are on their way to Scotland.
If Elizabeth II were to breathe his last breath, the palace will officially launch theOperation London Bridge, which details all the steps to follow until the funeral. Part of the process was even thought out in advance by the sovereign herself. Others depend only on his heir Prince Charles, who must advise in real time…
Since the 1960s, the funeral program has been regularly updated to reflect the context of the death. Since 2017, the code name “London Bridge is down” (understand “London Bridge is down”) is the one that the Queen’s personal secretary must use to notify the British Prime Minister of her death, through secure phone lines. The various ministers and governments of the Commonwealth countries were then briefed. All a detailed, up-to-the-minute planthen set in motion in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth countries having their own plan.
An official press release is transmitted by PA Media (ex Associated Press), TV presenters dress in black (some have already worn this outfit) and radio stations adapt their programs with less cheerful music. In front of Buckingham Palace, a valet comes to display the announcement of the death. The websites and social networks of the royal family and the government then dress in black.
Whether Elizabeth II dies in Balmoral, Scotland, the coffin will first be displayed at Holyrod Palace, before a ceremony at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and a transfer to London by royal train. No matter where it comes from, the coffin is due to arrive at Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room.
On the fifth day after her death, the Queen’s remains will be moved to Westminster Hall (in Parliament), in a burning chapel open to the public, for three days. It was not until the tenth day after the death of Elizabeth II that her funeral was held in Westminster Abbey.
The coffin will eventually be transported to Windsor Castle, where the deceased will rest at the George VI Memorial in St George’s Chapel, with her husband Prince Philip (who died April 2021). The date of the burial will be declared a national day of mourning and two minutes of silence will be observed across the UK.
And the new king?
On the very day of the announcement of the Queen’s death, the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Parliaments are supposed to meet at best. The British Prime Minister – Liz Truss in this case – must for his part meet the new sovereign, namely Prince Charles, the eldest son of Elizabeth II. The latter must then pronounce a first speech at 6 p.m.. Shots must also be fired and a first tribute ceremony must be held at St Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of the Prime Minister and several of his ministers.
The day after the Queen’s death, the Board of Succession is due to meet at St James’s Palace to proclaim the new ruler. Prince Charles’ eldest son, Prince William, becomes the new Prince of Wales. The coronation of Prince Charles will not come until several months later. Parliament must then swear allegiance to this new king. Most parliamentary activities are then suspended for ten days.
On the third day after the death of Elizabeth II, Prince Charles must begin an express tour of the United Kingdom: he is expected at the Scottish Parliament, before a religious ceremony at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. The next day, he must go to Northern Ireland. Seven days after the death of the queen, her heir must go to Wales.