This Thursday, .
“Following further assessment this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended that she remain under medical surveillance,” it said. His family was informed of the situation, the British agency PA specified, while Prime Minister Liz Truss expressed the country’s concern over the news.
In the worst case, the protocol known as ‘ London Bridge ‘ would have to be activated, but what is it?
Elizabeth II , 96, has reigned since 1952, meaning she has been on the throne for the last 70 years, the longest for any monarch in British history. In the event of his death, there are a series of steps that must be carried out, called the ‘London Bridge’ operation.
What happens if the queen dies?
This is the protocol to follow in the days after the queen passes away. It is always active and constantly updated.
In case of death, the private secretary of the queen must send a notice to the minister in turn, this message is the one that gives name to the protocol, as it will say “The London Bridge go down” (“The London Bridge has fallen”) , that is when the operation is activated.
In 2021, the “Politico” media revealed the details of the protocol. Once the internal leaders have been informed, notice will be given at the international level. When this information has been delivered, all the flags in Whitehall – the parliamentary area – should be lowered to half.
British citizens will know the news through an “official notification” issued by the Royal House. The Prime Minister will be the first member of the Government to make a statement and the rest of the members of the Executive will not be able to comment on the matter until then.
On the other hand, the British Parliament, as well as the autonomous chambers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will cease their activity; a national minute of silence will be announced and the Ministry of Defense will fire salvos from various locations.
“Operation London Bridge” also includes an exclusive protocol for social networks, with the prohibition of retweets in official accounts and non-urgent content. The black will bathe the social profiles of the Government, as well as the official website of the royal family.
The protocol contemplates different alternatives, depending on the place of death of the sovereign. If he dies at his residence in Sandringham, in the east of England, his coffin will arrive by train and will be received by the prime minister at London’s St Pancras station.
Operations ‘Unicorn’ and ‘Overstudy’
If it is done in Balmoral, Scotland, “Operation Unicorn” will be activated, which will also take it by train to London, if possible. And, if not, “Operation Overstudy”, which will transport the coffin by plane.
The Prince of Wales, first in line to the throne, will address the nation at 6 p.m., and will be proclaimed sovereign at 10 a.m. on the day after death (“D+1”). In addition, in the days leading up to the funeral, he will tour the UK, beginning in Scotland and ending in Wales.
On the second day of mourning, the coffin with the queen will return to Buckingham Palace, and on the fifth it will march in procession to the Palace of Westminster. There, it will remain until the eighth in a raised box open to the public for 23 hours a day.
With EFE and AFP information
