Queen Elizabeth is indeed a force to be reckoned with! Since her ascension to the throne when she was merely 25 years old, Her Majesty has become the longest-reigning monarch in the UK's history. Her life story is one for the ages, and she was fortunate to witness the birth of her sweet great-grandchildren. Even though her powerful aura has not diminished, and the very thought seems unthinkable, the unfortunate day will come when the world will wake up to the news of her demise.
As heartbreaking as it may be, soon a curiosity piques at the corners of the mind. What happens when a royalty of such a stature passes away? Fret not! The Royal Family has time-tested protocols specifically tailored for an event such as that. They've dictated every action step-by-step for the inevitable situation and made it a masterstroke of royal finesse. On this list, we unfurl these royal secrets and take a deep dive to let you know exactly how the proceedings unfold.
News Flash
Devastating news can come at any time, and the people affected need to be ready when that happens. If Queen Elizabeth were to pass away overnight, then that will be the first news to hit all the news channels in the morning. As the word spreads, protocols will begin shortly after.
The first to be informed will be her beloved family, and then next, a public announcement shall be made. With the sunrise, a day of mourning will begin as the United Kingdom will weep for its monarch's sad demise.
Secret Code Names
For every royal that has ruled the throne, there have been different code names for such an event, such as Queen Mother's was 'Tay Bridge,' and for George VI, it was 'Hyde Park Corner.' For Queen Elizabeth, the term is 'Operation London Bridge.'
Following her ascension to the throne in the 1950s, the protocols were crafted and put into place sometime during the 1960s to prepare for any unforeseeable event. As an intelligent move, these protocols have undergone quite a few changes to keep up with the times. When the event happens, it will be Her Majesty's official doctor that will confirm the same.
Announcements
Even before her family, the first person to know of Her Majesty's demise will be her personal secretary. Edward Young currently holds the coveted position, and as soon as he gets the word, the news will be relayed to Britain's Prime Minister with the code words – 'London Bridge is down.'
After hearing the hard-hitting code, the Prime Minister shall officially signal to start the mourning period as it is already part of the approved protocol. Simultaneously, any sensitive and secure information on the Queen's passing will be delivered to civil servants and officials.
Serious Matters
During the ten days of the mourning period declared by the British government, no comedy series or shows will be broadcasted on 'BBC' as a show of respect and nod towards the somber mood of the country. Such a situation had landed the network in hot waters before as when the Queen Mother passed away, the channel continued to run funny content, which resulted in criticism for the insensitivity.
Since 'BBC' is a British bred channel, it aggravated the situation further. There were many angry and upset citizens that made sure their discontentment was heard as they sent in hoards of complaints and letters.
Mourners' Clothes
This one is pretty obvious as in the event of a funeral, black-colored clothes are worn by the bereaved. Explicitly, the protocol dictates that everyone in attendance for mourning must wear black. The rule isn't limited to attendees, but also to news reporters. They must have an outfit ready to dash out as soon as possible to record at the best possible angle.
Civil workers who will be prepping for the glum event following her demise, are instructed to wear black armbands to remember their Queen and pay respects without breaking the rules.
Public Acknowledgement
Once the Queen's close confidantes have been informed of her tragic demise, it is time to make the news public, and the best way to ensure that it gets out fast is to notify the Press Association News Agency.
Some preparations have already been made so as not to get caught off-guard, such as documentaries and articles, have already been crafted. Exclusive rights have already been allotted to 'Sky News' to air interviews with royal experts. 'The Times' is also said to be prepared for the event and has 10 days of coverage planned.
Her Remains
When the Queen passes away, her body will be taken to the throne room in Buckingham Palace. It will remain there until four days before the funeral, then it will be moved to Westminster Hall. This room is located in the northwest corner of the building.
Her remains will be protected by four members of the Royal Guard, who will be wearing their ceremonial uniforms, which includes the well-known bearskin hats and rifles. This is one of the many protocols in place, and everyone in the palace knows about it so that they can be ready at any given moment!
Announcement From The Buckingham Palace
Whenever there is an important occurrence in The Royal Family such as a birth, wedding, or demise, a physical letter detailing the announcement is always placed in Buckingham Palace. It is for the general public's attention and also to be used as a dedicated space to arrive and mourn. People come with memorabilia and wreaths as a way to convey their regards and express sorrow.
Queen Elizabeth is the longest-reigning monarch, and with that, a part of everyone's life is connected to her somehow. The citizens take comfort in her existence, which is why a 10-day mourning period has been suggested.
Issues During Foreign Visits
In the situation where Queen Elizabeth is no longer with us, and the event happens on foreign soil, then also The Royal Family is prepared. Suppose the demise occurs when Her Majesty is onboard her private jet – RAF No. 32, then the plane will be immediately turned around to journey back to her palace.
If the monarch is within the country's boundaries, then a carrier will be ordered to safely bring her home. Protocols also dictate that if she is in Scotland, then until the Queen is en route to London, she will be taken to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Ceremonial Rituals
When a monarch like the Queen passes, there are plenty of ceremonies that need to be attended. This means that the burial does not occur immediately, as there is plenty to be done beforehand.
This includes displaying the ruler's body in Westminster Hall for four days in order for the public to say their peace to her. Also, flags will be flown at half-mast, church bells will echo across the nation, and one can be sure that all these events will add up to a fantastic tribute for a royal of her stature!
Lots to be Done!
Queen Elizabeth is fully prepared for everything that needs to happen when the time of her passing comes. This is because she herself helped put together the action plan for her funeral and the activities around it. There are certainly lots to be done when the head of the royal family leaves this world.
Firstly, the famous Crown Jewels need to be cleaned, as they will be on display during the event. The much-loved Monarch will also be the first member of the royal family to be laid to rest at a Westminster Abbey ceremony in a long time. The last one held there was in 1760!
An Iconic Symbol
The Queen is as much an iconic part of England as landmarks like the famous clock tower 'Big Ben,' so it would make sense to incorporate it into her funeral proceedings when that day arrives.
On the day that she is laid to rest in the Westminster Abbey, old 'Ben' will ring out across London at precisely nine in the morning to further help imbue symbolism into the solemn day. The event will be attended by two thousand people, with another massive crowd expected outside, all there to celebrate the life of one of Britain's most prominent institutions!
An Event Fit for a Queen
There is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth's funeral will be a spectacular event. Nearly two thousand people will be in attendance at Westminster Abbey as she sleeps eternally, including all the royal family members, as well as emissaries and other monarchs from across the world. The proceedings will be overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury and would start promptly at eleven in the morning.
Outside the Hall in the streets, thousands of people are expected to gather. They will be treated to displays of military prowess as there will be a parade held by the armed forces' branches. All to honor the life of an incredible sovereign!
The Sound of Silence
The Nation-State is responsible for Queen Elizabeth's funeral, which means that nearly everything around England will be shut down for the day, except for absolutely essential services. Every major government institution will also be on hold in that time frame. Who would want to work on a day like that anyway?
When the beloved monarch passes, the day will be the darkest of an era. A national holiday will be granted to the public for them to also be able to mourn her departure and honor her for the fantastic service she rendered under her reign!
Laid to Rest
We can only speculate where the Queen's body will be laid to rest once all the proceedings and rituals with regards to the funeral are completed. We can narrow it down to two options in Windsor, though!
Option one is that she will choose to be buried close to her parents in Saint George's Chapel. The other is that she might be interred in Frogmore Gardens, where her husband, Prince Philip, wants to rest. Most people reckon she would like to be placed alongside her lifelong partner, but at the end of the day, only the monarch and her closest advisers really know!
A New Dawn
It is no secret that Prince Charles is next in line for the throne once his mother, the Queen, moves on from this world, and everyone knows that it will be an emotional time for all parties involved.
Although the news of succession can be made on the day of the monarch's passing, it is customary to only make the official announcement eleven days after the event of her departure. We can only guess, but we reckon the prince will wait the allotted time out of respect for his mother and the public, as well as the knowledge that he has some big shoes to fill!
The King's Day
The coronation of England's new ruling monarch will be a spectacular televised event, which means that it will not only be attended by dignitaries, but millions of people from around the globe will be able to tune in digitally! The entire Royal Family will be there in all their splendor as well.
Thomas Woodcock, the long time crown genealogist, is responsible for overseeing the ceremony at Friary Court in which Prince Charles is to become king. All in all, it sounds like it's going to be a spectacle for the record books!
Next in Line
When Prince Charles assumes the ruler's mantle, his title is most likely to change to King Charles III. However, there are plenty of other names he could go by, like George, Arthur, or even Philip.
The successor's wife, Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, is also granted an upgrade to her title along with her husband- as Princess Camilla. Although she is technically allowed to be named Queen, it has been established that this will most likely not be the case. You still have to abide by the unspoken rules after all.
Assuming the Mantle
In his journey to becoming the new ruler of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles is already rendering services unto his mother and the crown. This is to ease the Queen's workload and help with the transition, which will eventually see him take over all the duties the ruling monarch currently has.
After being crowned, the new king will tour the entirety of the UK, from Scotland to Ireland and Wales, for a string of visits regarding several issues that he will then be responsible for. It's no easy task, and we're sure that if you look at the love for his mother, he knows what a huge role he's inheriting!
A New Age
After Charles's coronation, several items on the royal and governmental list will be attended to. A lot needs to be turned over to a new leaf. The things on the list are the induction of newly printed currency, which will feature him, and appendices to the national anthem, reflecting his new position.
This new dawn on the British Empire will probably also attract a massive amount of tourism. It is not often that we get to experience the induction of a new monarch. Celebrations will most likely be the order of the day for quite some time. After all, crowning the new ruler is a joyous occasion!
Eventuality
Although the protocols are set, and everyone knows what needs to happen when the day comes that beloved Queen Elizabeth leaves this world, there is no doubt that it will be difficult for the entire United Kingdom.
She has been the monarch for such a long time, and some people reckon that once she is gone, the public might have an entirely different take on the royal family than they do now. There is no doubt that she is a beloved ruler and that respect for her stretches far beyond the borders of her kingdom. And when her time comes, the UK and the whole world will remember her fondly!
Family Protocol
As we learned with the Queen Mother's passing in 2002, another protocol comes into effect if the ruling monarch's personal physician reckons that the end is near. If this is the case, a message will immediately be dispatched to members of the royal family so that they can come to personally say their goodbyes to the much-loved royal.
Unfortunately, there are circumstances in which this can't happen, like if the queen unexpectedly passes in the middle of the night, much like her own father- King George. It truly is a melancholy thought that there is a chance for this to happen.