Queen Elizabeth II has been around for almost everybody’s entire lifetime. At 93 years old, she is the longest-reigning British monarch, having taken the throne at the young age of 25 in 1952. So understandably, it’s hard to imagine what will happen when she is no longer with us. Although her father died at the young age of 56, her mother lived to the ripe old age of 101, so longevity is in her blood. But death is undefeated.
Since ascending to the throne in 1952, the mother-of-four has worked as mechanic and military truck driver during World War II, talked politics with 13 prime ministers and 13 US presidents, led 53 Commonwealth countries and welcomed eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
However, when Prince Philip announced his retirement in May 2017 at the age of 96 with the full support of the Queen, it served as a poignant reminder that the famous couple will not be able – or wish – to undertake public duties forever. With the knowledge that Queen Elizabeth II’s reign will come to an end at some point, here is everything you need to know about what will happen when she passes.
What Is Operation London Bridge
Operation London Bridge has been a code name that referred to the plan for what will happen in the days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The plan was originally devised in the 1960s and is updated several times each year. It involves planning from government departments, the Church of England, Metropolitan Police Service, the British Armed Forces, the media and Royal Parks of London. Some critical decisions relating to the plan were made by the Queen herself, although some can only be made by her successor (the current heir apparent is her son, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales), after her death.
As of early 2017, the phrase “London Bridge is down” was expected to be used to announce the death of the Queen to the Prime Minister and key personnel, setting the plan into motion. The code name Operation London Bridge primarily refers to events that would take place in the United Kingdom. In addition to the United Kingdom, other Commonwealth realms where Elizabeth II acts as a monarch have developed their plans for what will happen in the days after her death. These corresponding plans would run concurrently with Operation London Bridge.
National Mourning Declared In Britain
Multiple reports suggest Queen Elizabeth II’s death will lead to a 12-day period of national mourning in Britain. Large crowds visited the Queen Mother’s coffin in 2002, and it’s thought that the monarch’s body will lie in Westminster Hall until her funeral to allow people to pay their respects. Union Jack flags in the UK and around the world will also be flown at half-mast and condolence books will appear in international embassies. The London Stock Exchange will be closed for at least the day of the Queen’s funeral and potentially for several days – potentially costing the economy billions.
The Queen’s body will be taken to Parliament, where she will lie in state in Westminster Hall – like the Queen Mother in 2002 – until her funeral. More than 200,000 people traveled to pay their respects to the Queen Mother and that number is expected to be vastly exceeded in the event of the Queen’s death.
The Royal Family Will Gather Near There Queen Elizabeth II
Death could happen at any moment for any reason, but if Queen Elizabeth II contracts an illness and her physician concludes that death is imminent, then other royal family members will gather around her bedside to pay their respects to queen Elizabeth and say the last goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II.
When the Queen Mother passed away in 2002, she had time to place her final phone calls and even give away some of her horses.
The Media Response
Plans for the death of a senior Royal have been discussed only under code names. The phrase “Hyde Park Corner” was used to announce the death of George VI, while the Queen Mother’s funeral plans were drawn up under “Operation Tay Bridge”.
The code for the death of Queen Elizabeth II has remained a secret for decades, but is now widely known to be: “London Bridge”. The phrase “London Bridge is down” will be used to convey the news through official channels.
The license fee-funded BBC will suspend all programming and screen BBC One coverage of the event.
If Her Majesty dies during the night, her death would reportedly not be announced until 8 am, after which her portrait will be displayed on the screen accompanied by the national anthem – as happened following the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
Other channels are not required to interrupt regular scheduling, but almost certainly will.
The BBC ONE, BBC Two, and BBC Three will also suspend all comedy programming during the 12-day period of national mourning. until after queen the funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II Funeral
This will be “an extraordinary occasion,” says Juror. As a monarch, the Queen will be given a state funeral, which is expected to take place 12 days after her death. The service will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who the senior bishop of the Church of England, and will take place at either Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral, where there’s likely to be an impressive international turnout. Like her father, mother, and many royals before her, it’s widely believed the Queen will be laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
What If Queen Elizabeth ii Dies At Balmoral Castle
This is the most complicated situation that will be if Queen Elizabeth II passes while at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she spends 3 months a year, and where Scottish rituals would take place after her death.
She would be moved to Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, then be carried up the city’s Royal Mile to St. Giles Cathedral for service before being placed on the Royal Train to London. Her subjects will likely wait along the route to throw flowers and pay their respects as her train passes by.
After Queen Elizabeth ii Dies, Who Will Be The New King
To ensure the British throne is never vacant, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II eldest son, would automatically become The King of Great Britain. Of course, Charles’s ascension would bring about much change. In Britain, the national anthem would be altered to “God Save The King,” and new stamps, banknotes, and coins would be issued with an image of the male monarch.
one of his advisers told the Guardian. “There is the demise of a sovereign and then there is the making of a king.” Charles is scheduled to make a speech on the evening of Queen Elizabeth ii death to address the people. The next day, at 11 a.m., Prince Charles will be proclaimed King, and he will swear an oath called the accession declaration. Heralds will read a proclamation throughout the city, trumpets will sound, the flag will be raised back up, and cannons will go off in a royal salute.
He will also succeed his mother as head of the Commonwealth. That decision was made by Commonwealth leaders in April of 2018.
“I am deeply touched and honored by the decision of Commonwealth Heads of State and Government that I should succeed The Queen, in due course, as Head of the Commonwealth,” Prince Charles said in a statement at the time.
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