It is with great sadness we learn of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. No doubt, we at London Guided Walks join millions of people around the world in mourning the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty was our longest reigning monarch and will be fondly remembered for a remarkable lifetime of service.
Now the queen has passed away, Operation London Bridge has begun.
Sir Edward Young, KCVO, the queen’s private secretary would have been responsible for informing the Prime Minister Liz Truss before the information is released to the 15 other countries where the queen is head of state and the rest of the 36 Commonwealth nations. This is done by the Foreign Office’s Global Response Centre which is housed at an unknown location in London.
Expect to see staff at the royal palaces to wear a black armband on their left arm, measuring three-and-a-quarter inches wide.
A statement has now been released to the Press Association and other news outlets. The UK’s main TV channels have already pulled regular programmes and newsreaders are wearing black suits and ties. DJs on-air will have seen a blue light flash, cutting to news ASAP. Blanket coverage has begun.
Prince Charles is now king. He is permitted to choose his own name, but is expected to become King Charles III. At this stage, a meeting of the Accession Council should take place at St James’ Palace as should all further formalities. With the queen passing away at Balmoral and the Palace more used to working remotely we could see an updated plan.
Charles will be named King tomorrow, one day after the queen’s death and after his siblings have ceremoniously kissed his hand. Proclamations will be made and while the queen lies in state, Charles will complete a UK tour visiting Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. His first words as monarch are expected to take place at St James’s Palace.
The coronation of the new King (assuming he will take the title of King Charles III) will be planned a few months after the funeral, and the title of Prince of Wales will move to Prince William and Catherine will become Princess of Wales.
the queen’s funeral will take place 10 days from now and will be a national day of mourning. Her body will travel along the Royal Mile to St Giles’s Cathedral for a service before being brought down to London by plane. Her body will be laid in state in Westminster Hall where the public can pay their respects.
On the 10th day, the queen’s body will be moved to Westminster Abbey for a state funeral. The funeral will be attended by state officials from all over the world and will be coordinated by the armed forces and Government. It will also be a national day of mourning, (including the stock market). Big Ben will chime at 9 am.
