Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, all official flags must be flown at half-staff from today until 08:00 the day after the Queen’s state funeral. Flags may be flown at night during this period but must remain at half-staff.
The official flags in this case are defined as the national flags of the home nations, crown dependencies, and overseas territories.
All unofficial flags flown must be removed and replaced with a Union flag at half-staff.
Other official flags scheduled to be flown may be flown normally but at half-staff.
What happens to London Bridge when the Queen dies?
Half mast meaning
Half-staff means that the flag flies one-third of the staff from the top, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the staff.
The Union flag must fly in the correct upward direction.
Royal Standard Flag – Flag Flying protocol
The Royal Standard is never flown at half-staff, even after the death of a monarch, as there is always a Sovereign on the throne and it would therefore be inappropriate for it to be flown at half-staff.
The Union Flag will be flown at half-staff at all Royal Residences.
The only exception to half-staff during this period of mourning is on the day of the Accession Council on September 10, when His Majesty the King is formally proclaimed.
In Britain, her death at age 96 has kick-started a state apparatus that has lain dormant for 70 years, since Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, died in 1952.
The British government dubbed the intricate protocol of handling Elizabeth’s death “Operation London Bridge”.
It covers everything from the rules of succession to the process of bringing the queen’s coffin from Balmoral Castle in Scotland to London.
Some of the details may have changed since then, but using them as a guide, here’s a brief look at what the documents say will happen in the first 10 days after the end of the Queen’s reign:
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.
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.
Operation London Bridge
Also known by its code phrase London Bridge is down
12 Days of Mourning off School
Schools and colleges will remain open after the Queen’s death, the government has said.
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.
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.
What does Queen Consort Mean?
King Charles III now presides over the British monarchy, and at his side, the Queen consort Camilla.