According to a document, the UK has a secret plan for Queen Elizabeth II’s death, including a memorial service with the Prime Minister that should appear spontaneous and preparations for crisis-mode if London becomes packed with mourners, but circulating this type of document in the media is not necessary as it’s capable of sending a wrong message to the Queen who’s still living and in good health.
The arrangement that has been scheduled to take place after the Monarch has passed away is titled “Operation LONDON BRIDGE,” and it details what will happen in the first 10 days after the death of the 95-year-old monarch, according to a report by Politico on Friday.
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The report also stated that the UK government is bracing for a crisis, with one memo reportedly warning that too many people flooding the city to mourn the queen could overwhelm or “full” the city, causing havoc with public transportation, food accessibility, policing, and other services.
In response to this possibility, “Operation London Bridge” calls for the establishment of a security operation to manage potential overcrowding.
An outline of the plan also shows that a service honoring the Queen will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral following the Prime Minister’s official announcement of her death. The Prime Minister and some senior ministers are expected to attend, but the memorial is expected to be “spontaneous,” according to the documents.
There are also plans for the prime minister and his Cabinet to meet the queen’s coffin at St. Pancras station, as well as for Prince Charles, the Queen’s son and heir apparent to the British throne, to go on a tour of the UK in the days leading up to the funeral as he takes over as king of England.
“Operation LONDON BRIDGE” begins with what is named “D-Day,” where hours after the Queen’s death, a “call cascade” will occur where the prime minister, the cabinet secretary, and other senior ministers and officials will be alerted of the Queen’s passing by HRH’s private secretary. The Privy Council Office, in charge of coordinating government work on behalf of the monarch, will also reportedly be alerted.
The royal household will issue an “official notification” to alert the public and there are scripts in place on how officials should alert others on the news. For example, the cabinet secretary will email ministers and senior civil servants the following: “Dear colleagues, It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.”
There are also plans to lower all flags on Whitehall Road to half-mast 10 minutes after the news of Queen Elizabeth is delivered.
As for social media, Politico reports, “The royal family’s website will change to a black holding page with a short statement confirming the queen’s death. The U.K. government website GOV.UK will display a black banner at the top. All government departmental social media pages will also show a black banner and change their profile pictures to their departmental crest.”
Interestingly, retweets are “explicitly banned” unless cleared for the central government head of communications, and non-urgent content should not be published.
The Prime Minister will be the first government official to make a statement, the Ministry of Defence will arrange for gun salutes, and a minute of silence for the nation will be announced. The PM will then meet with the new king and at 6 p.m., King Charles will “deliver a broadcast to the nation.”
Several plans have been put in place in the 10 days leading up to the queen’s funeral for various officials to mourn the queen as her coffin rests in Buckingham Palace.
There are several plans in place to ensure the Queen’s return to London if she dies in another city, such as “Operation UNICORN,” in which her body will be transported by train if she dies in Scotland, or “Operation OVERSTUDY,” in which her body will be transported by plane if she dies in another city.
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The queen’s state funeral will be held on the tenth day, according to reports, and a two-minute silence will be observed across the country “at midday.” There will be processions in London and Windsor, as well as a service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth will be buried in King George VI Memorial Chapel, the report detailed.
Having a detailed plan for the Queen’s funeral by appropriate authorities is not entirely wrong, publishing it in the media where even the Monarch can access it will leave a bad taste in her mouth. It is completely inappropriate to openly discuss the death and funeral of someone who is still alive and well.
