THEthe no longer secret code, Operation London Bridge, derives from a nursery rhyme for children dedicated to the famous London bridge. And when the time comes to announce the disappearance of Queen Elizabeth, these will be the words that Buckingham Palace, as the private secretary of the sovereign, will use to communicate the news to the prime minister.
A plan for the salute to Queen Elizabeth
For more than half a century, the protocol is periodically updated through general exercises and includes every event, ceremony, telephone call and announcement from members of the Royal Family, the UK Government and the media, detailed on the day of the announcement and thereafter.
Farewell to Queen Elizabeth
The announcement to the media will then be made with a press release to a news agency and not to the Bbc, the national broadcaster, as they once did. The flags of the government offices will lower theUnion Jackthe British flag, parliament will suspend the works e the premier will deliver his speech in homage to the sovereign.
The silence of social media for the post-Elisabetta
Channels social networks of the Royal Family will be immediately suspended and any communication from official sources will refer to the day of Elizabeth’s death as the D-day, which will include a minute of national silence and cannon shots organized by the Ministry of Defense. Numbers will be added to the following days – D-Day + 1, D-Day + 2 and so on – until the date of the funeral.
Elizabeth II with her great-grandson George of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, June 2022 (Getty Images)
The return to London of Elizabeth’s remains
The coffin containing the remains of the sovereign will arrive in London traveling on the Royal train (in a separate operation bearing the name Unicorn) and will be exhibited in Westminster Hall. A commemoration ceremony will be held in St. Paul’s Cathedral, in the presence of the premier and other government representatives.
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, June 2022 (Getty Images)
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth
The public will be able to offer a final farewell in the three days preceding the state funeral. These will take place ten days after the announcement of his death at Westminster Abbey, with a procession and a rite decided in every detail by the sovereign herself. And the national day of mourning will be marked, at noon, by two minutes of silence throughout the country. Elizabeth II will later be buried in King George VI’s chapel in Windsor, dedicated to her father.
The journey of King Charles in the first days of his reign
The day after the mother’s death – the D-Day +1 – Carlo, 73, will be formally proclaimed king fromAccession Council, ceremonial organ, gathered at St James’ Palace in the presence of hundreds of dignitaries. The new sovereign will therefore leave with his wife Camilla, queen consort, for a tour of the whole country, which will last until Elizabeth’s funeral.
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