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London Bridge Has Fallen
Should the Queen pass away right this moment (knock on wood!), Buckingham Palace will set the following plan into motion:
First, the Queen’s doctor immediately informs her private secretary. He will then relay the message to the Prime Minister through the codeword “London Bridge is down,” – the ‘London Bridge’ being Her Majesty, the Queen.
Once the Queen’s private secretary is informed, he will then pass this knowledge on to the 15 countries and 36 members of the Commonwealth. That includes Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, among others.
The Media Frenzy
If news breaks that the Queen has passed the information would be immediately available! There wouldn’t be anyone asking “did the queen die today?” Because as soon as the Queen passes, Buckingham Palace will post a black-edged notice outside the gates, and an official post will also be made on the Royal Family’s website.
Of course, the press will also be notified immediately. Her Majesty’s death and funeral will be televised by the BBC and other major networks, who have already rehearsed exactly how they would broadcast her passing.
What does their plan look like? Well, if the Queen passes overnight, the media has decided to make the announcement early the next day. To pay their respects, news channels will stop any shows and advertisements that are currently being shown. The BBC have also planned to cover the Royal news up until the Queen’s funeral. It is anticipated that all other networks will follow suit.
The 12-Day Mourning Period
When the Queen dies, the UK will endure a 12-day national mourning period, where, as Popsugar puts it, “life will come screeching to a halt”.
Four days after the Queen’s passing, a ceremony will be held to anticipate the arrival of the Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall. Her body will stay at Westminster for four days, where mourners from all over the world may come and pay their respects.
During this mourning period, all UK flags will be lowered to half-mast, and businesses, theatres, and sporting events will be closed or cancelled.
The Funeral
The Queen’s funeral will take place 9 days after her death. At 9am, the world will watch as the funeral procession makes its way from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey. At this time, Londoners and everyone watching will hear the muffled sounds of Big Ben’s padded hammer.
Upon arriving at Westminster Abbey, the Queen’s body will be placed on a gun carriage carried by a few Royal Navy sailors, and the state funeral will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Finally, after all rites and prayers are made, her body will be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where her parents, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and King George VI, are also buried.
What Happens If The Queen Dies While Away From London?
There are special plans set depending on where the Queen passes away. In all cases, the coffin will lie at the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace, guarded by four Grenadier Guards, before being moved to Westminster Hall after four days.
Should the Queen die while she is out of the country, her body will first be placed inside a coffin brought in by a Royal Air Force plane. She will then be delivered back to the UK and transported by car to Buckingham Palace.
If she dies at Balmoral Castle where she spends all her summers, Windsor Castle, or the Sandringham House in Norfolk, a car will be used to transport her body to Buckingham Palace. Should she pass in Scotland, her body will be placed in a coffin and will lie at Holyrood Palace. There will be a service at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. After the service, her coffin will then be brought back to Buckingham Palace.
Who Takes Over The Throne When The Queen Dies?
As per tradition, the Queen’s eldest son, Prince Charles, will take his place as heir to the throne. However, several rituals must take place before Charles is officially dubbed King.
First, on the evening of his mother’s passing, he must address the country to inform its citizens of the Queen’s death, along with the funeral plans. Then, at 11 am the next day, Prince Charles will be proclaimed King and will swear an oath called the ‘accession declaration’. Flags will be fully raised and cannons will go off in a royal salute.
Charles’ coronation, however, will take place several months after the Queen’s death.
When Prince Charles rises to be King, he will also become the head of the Commonwealth, with politicians and members of the Parliament having to take a new oath of allegiance to him. His wife, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, will automatically be Queen, and his son, William the Duke of Cambridge, may become the Prince of Wales.
What Else Will Change When The Queen Dies?
When Prince Charles becoming King, the UK’s national anthem will be changed to “God Save The King”.
The London Stock Exchange is expected to close when the Queen passes, causing billions worth of losses to the country’s economy. However, that isn’t the only monetary change that will happen during this period of change. Once Charles becomes King, future monetary bills must also feature his portrait
Another major thing that will change? Passports. Freedom to travel is given by Her Majesty. When she passes, approval is passed on to Charles.
Lastly, the British police force will have to change uniforms, as their current suits feature the Queen’s initials and her regnal number.
Is The Queen Of England Dead? When Will The Queen Die?
If this article has prompted you to wonder, “Is the queen dying?” – don’t you worry. Though the Queen is 94 years old, she remains to be the picture of health. She has experienced a few minor health problems in the past – she had a cataract removed, and she’s been treated for anemia – but these haven’t been enough to put her life in jeopardy.
So the next time a friend asks, “Is the Queen dead yet?” tell them to keep calm and carry on. Unless there’s a big announcement, it’s unlikely that she’s passed.
Conclusion
The death of the longest-reigning monarch will bring changes that will shock not only the United Kingdom but the rest of the world. Thankfully, preparations have been made to ensure the smoothest transition from one ruler to the next.
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