As the death of Queen Elizabeth II has just been announced, the UK enters a 10-day period of national mourning, and a protocol called Operation London Bridge has just been initiated.
Produced by Buckingham Palace since the 1960s, it is based on a very detailed list of measures that will mark the next ten days. An organization that has been leaked in recent years in various English-language media, including The Guardian and Politico. This is how, a priori, the next few days will unfold.
“London Bridge is down” and black sign
The first person to learn of Elizabeth II’s death is the Prime Minister. This is noted by the Queen’s private secretary, Edward Young, using the code name “London Bridge is down”. Only then will British ministers and senior officials be informed by phone call and then email from the Cabinet Secretary: “Dear Colleagues, It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.”
As soon as the message is received, the flags in Whitehall, the traditional seat of UK government, are to be lowered to half-staff, ideally within 10 minutes. The two houses of Parliament meet calmly, before a speech by Prince Charles on television.
Meanwhile, the Royal Family’s websites will switch to a black home page and the media, in addition to the black banner, will also replace their profile pictures with their ministerial crest. The Press Association, not the BBC, will be responsible for getting the news out to other media. Once everyone has been notified, a mourning footman will leave the Palace of Westminster to fix a black sign on the doors indicating the death of the Queen.
Minute of silence and televised speech by Charles
The first speech must be that of the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Defense will organize a salute of the armies, a national minute of silence will be proclaimed and the Prime Minister will meet with Prince Charles, heir to the throne. At 6:00 p.m., the latter will have to speak on television. A service in honor of the Queen will then be held at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The second day will be mainly dedicated to the ascension of Prince Charles to the title of king. A council will meet at 10:00 am at the Palais Saint James to proclaim him the new sovereign, in the presence of the Prime Minister and political leaders – on the other hand, his coronation will only take place in the coming months.
Parliament will meet to write a message of condolence and its sessions will be suspended for ten days. Carlos’s first meeting as king with the prime minister and his cabinet will be at 3:30 p.m. As the Queen died in Scotland, her coffin must be transported to Buckingham Palace in London.
Masses and tributes
From the third day, Charles will begin a tour of the United Kingdom during which he will meet several official representatives who will present their condolences. He will also attend various masses. He will begin with a visit to the Scottish Parliament and a service at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
King Charles will then arrive in Northern Ireland, where he will receive another motion of condolences at Hillsborough Castle and attend a service at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
At the same time, rehearsals for Operación León, the procession of the coffin from Buckingham to the Palace of Westminster, will take place. This will take place on the fifth day. Upon arrival a mass will be celebrated in Westminster.
Elizabeth II’s coffin is scheduled to be placed in the Palace of Westminster between the sixth and eighth day, in Westminster Hall, and the public will be able to come and pay their respects 11 p.m. a day. place.
Funeral
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must during this time organize the arrival of foreign leaders and personalities. The Home Office will have to be more vigilant about the terrorist threat, and the Department for Transport fears that too many people will come to London.
On the ninth day, the royal family, as well as VIPs, will come to pay their respects to the Queen in front of the coffin in Westminster Hall. Personalities from all over the world will arrive with a firm step, on the eve of her funeral.
Also in accordance with protocol, the Queen’s funeral is to take place on the 10th at Westminster Abbey. Two minutes of silence will be observed across the country at noon and parades will be held in London and Windsor.
The Queen will be buried in King George VI Chapel at Windsor Castle, alongside her husband, Prince Philip.
Source: BFM TV
