Operation London Bridge (also known by its code phrase London Bridge is down) is the name of a funeral plan for Queen Elizabeth II. The plan includes the announcement of her death, the official mourning period and the details of her state funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, ending the longest reign of any British head of state.
Her death set in motion Operation London Bridge, service and succession plans that have been in place since the 1960s and have been regularly revised for decades.
12 days of mourning off work
In his memory. Following the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 96, the UK officially enters a 12-day period of mourning.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday, September 8, that the longest-reigning British monarch had passed away.
News of her death came shortly after doctors placed Elizabeth under “medical supervision” due to growing concerns about her health.
Her Majesty Her Queen ascended the throne in 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI, and made it her top priority to serve the British nation.
During her magnificent reign, she served as monarch of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) and many other kingdoms and territories, as well as head of the Commonwealth, the group of 53 sovereign nations that includes many former British territories.
She is credited with modernizing many aspects of the monarchy.
What happens when the Queen dies?
As the royal family races to be at Queen Elizabeth’s side, questions have been raised about what will happen when Her Majesty dies.
Operation London Bridge is a set of royal protocols that establish what happens between her death and her state funeral. In force since 1960.
The document says that shortly after her death, “D-Day” goes into effect.
The day the Queen dies will be called D-Day, while all subsequent days will be called D+1 and D+2, and so on.
A series of phone calls will be held to brief senior members of parliament. The “Call Cascade” consists of reporting to the UK Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary.
In addition, an official statement will arrive from the royal household informing staff, civil servants and the public of the Queen’s death.
Operation London Bridge vs Operation Unicorn
Under “Operation Unicorn”, the body of the Queen will be transferred from Balmoral Castle to its neighboring palace, in Edinburgh.
The Queen who saved a Kingdom
Elizabeth II
Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, 21 April 1926
Dead 8 September 2022
What happens when the Queen turns 100?
The Queen is 96 years old at the time of her death and she is the longest-serving monarch in British history.
How Long has Queen Elizabeth been Queen?
As head of state of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, her 70-year reign spanned more than a dozen US presidents and nine popes.
London Bridge is Down Protocol
In the plans that exist for the Queen’s death, there are many versions, held by Buckingham Palace, the government, and the BBC.
What Happens in the 12 days of Mourning?
Here’s the day-by-day account of what’s expected to happen next, ahead of the Queen’s funeral in about 11 days.