Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Her death set into motion an elaborate set of plans. 

According to an article in Harper’s Bazaar magazine, (and many other news outlets) “Operation London Bridge” has been planned for years. The plan, put in place by the UK government, sets out the precise steps to be taken upon the Queen’s death. 

Day 1: 

• Immediately upon the Queen’s death, her private secretary is to call the prime minister (the newly appointed Liz Truss, who just recently met with Queen Elizabeth this past Tuesday to be sworn in) to advise her of the news.  (Apparently, they used the phrase “London Bridge is down” to communicate the sad news.) 
• The prime minister is the first government official to announce the death 
• The prime minister is to hold an audience with the successor, King Charles III 
• The royal household issues an official statement informing staff, civil servants and the public of the Queen’s death 
• Flags are lowered around British government sites: ideally within 10 minutes of the passing 
• The Ministry of Defence arranges for a gun salute, and a national moment of silence 
• A service of remembrance is held at London’s St. Paul Cathedral 
• The royal family’s website is changed to a black background with a small message confirming the Queens’ death. 

Day 2: 

• Charles is sworn in as the new sovereign 
• Charles will deliver a speech 

Day 3 

• The Queen’s coffin is to be moved to Buckingham Palace 
• According to the plan, the coffin is to be transported by royal train. Alternatively, it might be moved by plane 
• The prime minister and ministers are to welcome the coffin upon arrival 

Day 4-6 

• Charles is to receive a “motion of condolence” at Westminster Hall 
• Charles is to begin a tour of the United Kingdom as its new monarch, including St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, North Ireland.  
• The Queen’s coffin is moved to the Palace of Westminster. A service is held upon its arrival 

Day 7-10 

• Queen Elizabeth is to lie in state at Westminster Hall, in the Palace of Westminster 
• There will be public viewing for 23 hours per day 
• Charles is to visit Cardiff to receive a motion of condolence and attend another service at Liandaff Cathedral 
• Charles will then return to London for the funeral. 

The plan itself is much more detailed, and is said to be “planned to the minute”. In addition, there is another plan set off by the same event: Operation Spring Tide, which is the plan for the ascension of King Charles III. 

Thank you for reading. 

Paul Trudelle