The plans for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II had been in the works for years, and probably the monarch herself helped with the schedule, known as “Operation London Bridge” in England, in reference to the London postcard, and as “Operation Unicorn” in Scotland. .
A series of events will span nine days from this Thursday (8), when the Queen’s death was announced, known as D-Day. The actual funeral should only take place at the end of that period, at Westminster Abbey in London.
According to the official plan, the Queen’s secretary would prepare the news of Elizabeth’s death while she was still under medical care. When the fact was confirmed, he would warn the prime minister, Liz Truss, with the code phrase “London Bridge is down”, or “London Bridge has fallen”.
The Parliament of Scotland, the country where she spent her final moments, must suspend its sessions. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected at Balmoral Castle, located in Aberdeen, and in Edinburgh. The public will be encouraged to gather around the Scottish Parliament, Palace of Holyroodhouse and St Giles Cathedral.
In the meantime, the sovereign’s body is to be transported by train from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh and will rest at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her official residence in Scotland, before being taken to St Giles’ Cathedral for a public reception. There, leaders and the public will have the opportunity to pay tribute and sign a book of condolences.
According to the plan, the coffin will then be placed aboard a royal train at Waverley station, from where it will travel slowly down the east coast to London. In the capital, you will be taken to a room at Buckingham Palace.
By now, the flags on UK public buildings should already be lowered to half-mast. A notice will be posted at the gates of Buckingham Palace and reproduced on government social media, which must also display a black flag. The prime minister will make a statement, followed by a round of gunfire and a minute’s silence.
The funeral itself should only take place on September 17 at Westminster Abbey in London. On that occasion, according to The Guardian, everything will be closed in England, even the stock exchanges, and a national day of mourning will be decreed. Big Ben will play and the country will have a moment of silence.
Soon after, the coffin will be transported by hearse to Windsor Castle, where it is to be buried in the “royal vault” of the King George Sixth Memorial Chapel.
All this ceremonial will be preceded by a rehearsal, to take place in six days, when the queen’s body is already in Westminster. From the arrival of the corpse to the abbey, the public will have four days to visit his coffin and say goodbye. The government expects hundreds of thousands of people, including many tourists, to fill London.
King Charles
In the second after the queen’s death, Prince Charles has become king — though his coronation will still take months, maybe even a year. He is allowed to choose his own name and chose to call himself King Charles III.
The officialization of his royalty should take place this Friday (9), after his brothers kiss his hands, according to the plan. He is then expected to meet with the British prime minister and other high-ranking government officials, being briefed on things only his mother previously knew about.
As the sovereign’s long wake unfolds, Charles will visit Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. His first pronouncement as monarch is scheduled to take place at St James’s Palace in London.
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