While many are familiar with “Operation London Bridge” (the multi-day plan of homage, tribute, and mourning), if Queen Elizabeth II were to die in London, fewer are aware of “Operation Unicorn”, which The Crown established many years ago, just in case the monarch died in Scotland.
Under “Operation Unicorn”, the body of the Queen will be transferred from Balmoral Castle to its neighboring palace, Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, which is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
Operation unicorn meaning
News of his death was announced in a statement on behalf of the Royal Family. A statement read: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
Every time a member of the Royal Family dies, there are strict plans for what will happen, none more important than the death of the Head of State.
The plan in case the Queen dies in Scotland is called Operation Unicorn.
Operation Unicorn is the plan in place if the Queen dies in Scotland. It has been revised periodically over the years to ensure an organized procedure when the time comes.
Following her death in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament will be suspended immediately.
Then there will be 36 hours to prepare a motion of condolence.
Her body would be taken to Holyroodhouse where she would rest, before being taken to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
The queen’s body would then make the last journey home to her, with her coffin taking the royal train from Waverley station back to London.
Operation Unicorn Scotland
As is usual in these cases, the death of Elizabeth II has been accompanied by internal planning for years. Now these plans can be used.
In the case of the monarch, they are Operation London Bridge and Operation Unicorn.
There were two different scenarios for the death of Queen Elizabeth II: Operation London Bridge and Operation Unicorn. London Bridge was based on the assumption that the Queen would die in London. Precise preparations have been made for both cases for years.
As is well known, Elizabeth II finally died on Thursday afternoon at her favorite Scottish residence, Balmoral.
After the queen’s death, former Crown Prince Charles became the new King Charles III, who will return to London later today with his wife, now Queen Camilla.
During the day, the final details of the funeral ceremonies will be decided, such as the duration of the royal family’s mourning.
On Friday, bells will ring in honor of the Queen at Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle.
96 gun salutes will be fired, one for each year the Queen has been, in Hyde Park and elsewhere. A televised speech by the king is scheduled for the evening.
Operation Spring Tide
Operation Spring Tide is the plan for the Prince of Wales’s ascension to the throne, which begins the day after the Queen’s death, when he will be proclaimed the new king at St. James’s Palace.
That evening, MPs will swear allegiance to the new monarch, followed by proclamations from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland administrations the following day.
On the third day, the new monarch would receive the motion of condolences at Westminster Hall in the morning and then depart for a tour of the UK, attending services in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff before returning to London for his mother’s funeral.
Operation London Bridge
Also known by its code phrase London Bridge is down
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.
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.
The Queen who saved a Kingdom
Elizabeth II
Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, 21 April 1926
Dead 8 September 2022
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.