Queen Elizabeth II dead, Britain has complex 10 day plan

Queen Elizabeth II's family, supporters, and admirers are in mourning.

Since the passing of Elizabeth's father, King George VI, in 1952, a governmental apparatus in Britain that had lain dormant for 70 years has been activated as a result of her death at age 96.

"Operation London Bridge" was the name given by the British government to the complex protocol for handling Elizabeth's passing.

It covers everything from succession laws to the procedure for transporting the queen's casket from Scotland's Balmoral Castle to London.

Politico received information on the London Bridge plans last October.

Here is a brief overview of what the records state will occur in the first 10 days following the end of the queen's record-breaking reign, using those facts as a reference.

Some of the details may have altered since then.

On the day of the death, the announcement of the queen's passing is made by the royal household. Upon the passing of his mother, Prince Charles ascends to the throne instantly.

His title will be King Charles III. Camilla, his wife, ascends to the monarchy. The pair spends the night in Balmoral.

All around the British government, flags are flown at half-staff. Both Liz Truss, the British Prime Minister, and Charles make brief statements.

After one day, Charles leaves for London again. Within 24 hours of the passing of a monarch, the Accession Council meets, which is customarily convened at St. James's Palace. It formally announces Elizabeth's demise and the coronation of the new king.

Parliament issues a statement of sympathy and postpones conducting regular work until after Elizabeth's funeral.

In the following week, Elizabeth's body is transported from Scotland to London's Buckingham Palace. Her coffin is brought to Westminster in an official procession. For three days, she is laid to rest at Westminster Hall, where visitors are welcome for 23 hours each day.

Charles visits leaders in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales as the last funeral preparations are being completed in London.

In the three days after the first week, a state funeral service is held at Westminster Abbey, causing a two-minute silence to be observed in the United Kingdom.

In a private funeral service, Prince Philip is remembered.

The queen is laid to rest on the grounds of Windsor Castle next to her late husband, Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021, following a farewell service at St. George's Chapel.