The Queen’s delicate health has raised alarms in the United Kingdom and abroad. The country stands ready for the eventual news of her passing. More than four years ago, a major newspaper disclosed secret official documents detailing the steps and sequence of actions that would trigger a far reaching response costing well over a hundred million pounds.
The operation known as London Bridge would begin the moment death is confirmed. A message would be conveyed by the Queen’s private secretary via a dedicated hotline to Prime Minister Liz Truss, prompting an immediate government reaction. The Foreign Office’s global response center would alert governors-general of the situation before the information became public and rolled out across networks. In total, fifteen nations share the monarch as sovereign alongside the governments of the United Kingdom and other members of the Commonwealth, totaling thirty six countries connected to the Crown.
The British Government would announce nine days of mourning, with England observing the official period. During the first eight days, a ceremonial procession would precede the royal coffin, and public attendance could reach half a million mourners as details unfold. On the ninth day, Big Ben would toll at nine o clock in a solemn tone. Two hours later, the funeral would take place at Westminster Abbey, with a worldwide audience expected. After the service, the Queen’s body would be transported to Windsor and laid to rest in the royal vault beneath the castle.
media action
Initially, the notification would reach the Press Association, the country’s oldest news agency, via a restricted channel. Public broadcasting would interrupt programming to cover the news through a rehearsed communication system. National television would switch to the BBC signal, ensuring the coverage is broadcast simultaneously across channels. Private networks would not be bound to this obligation.
Almost twenty years of preparation
The state funeral plan for Elizabeth began nearly two decades earlier. A nobles’ commission, led by the Duke of Norfolk, Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, reviews and updates the operational plans on a regular basis. While the Queen was not directly involved in every detail, she remained aware of the arrangements and supported the consistent preparation for a tribute worthy of the Crown.