The nation has officially entered a period of mourning for the Queen. After Britain's longest-serving monarch Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully in Balmoral, Scotland, yesterday, countless world leaders and communities have paid tribute to her lasting legacy.
The mother-of-four led an extraordinary life during her 70-year reign: she was a mechanic and military truck driver during World War II; she worked with over 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations, and was renowned for her unwavering sense of duty to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She married Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947 – five years before she would become Queen. Prince Philip sadly passed away on 9 April 2021, aged 99. She described him as her “strength and stay” during her reign.
Prince Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, said: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
As we prepare to bid farewell to our monarch and honour her 70 years of service, it's also totally understandable to be interested what will happen in the days following the Queen's passing – from the funeral arrangements to the succession of the British monarchy.
While many details have yet to be confirmed, here is what to expect and answers to the most frequently asked questions:
What is Operation Unicorn?
There are strict plans in place for when the Head of State dies. Each member of the Royal Family has their own code name, outlining these plans in the event of their death. In the Queen’s case, the codename is Operation London Bridge, which also includes Operation Unicorn, the contingency plan made in case she died in Scotland. Under these plans, which have been in place since the 1960s, King Charles III will confirm his mother’s funeral plans.
How long will national mourning last?
Flags are flying at half-mast as Britain enters a period of national mourning, which will last until the end of the day of the Queen's state funeral. This is likely to be in 10 or 11 days' time.
When will the Queen’s funeral take place?
As the Queen died in Scotland, her coffin will lie at rest in St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh before being moved to London. It is expected that people will be allowed to file past the Queen's coffin, which will lie in state for four days at Westminster Hall, ahead of her funeral at Westminster Abbey in 10 or 11 days' time. The Queen will then be buried alongside her husband, Prince Philip, in Windsor Castle’s King George VI Memorial Chapel.
Will there be a Bank Holiday?
Although it has yet to be confirmed, the day of the Queen's funeral and that of the coronation of King Charles III are expected to be national holidays. It's unlikely that the latter will take place until a few months, or even a year, after the Queen's death.
What closes when the Queen dies?
The government has announced that sports and entertainment events do not have to be cancelled during the period of National Mourning. On its website, the government has said: "As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.” However, it's likely that schools, businesses and the Stock Exchange will close, and there will be a two-minute national silence.
Sporting events such as football matches and horse racing on Friday 9 September and over the weekend have been postponed. The BBC proms have been cancelled on Friday 9 September and Saturday 10 September. Theatre performances across the UK are expected to continue, observing a minute's silence. Planned rail strikes on Thursday 15 September and Saturday 17 September have also been postponed.
When will Prince Charles become King?
Prince Charles automatically became monarch on the day that his mother, the Queen, passed away. He will formally be proclaimed King Charles III by the Accession Council at a meeting at St James’s Palace on Saturday 10 September. Clarence House has confirmed that the event will be televised live for the first time in history.
What happens to the British monarchy now?
1901 was the last time the phrase “The queen is dead. Long live the King,” was heard after Queen Victoria passed away and her son Edward ascended to the throne. While the successor to the British throne is quickly announced to maintain the crown's power structure, it is unlikely that King Charles III will be crowned for several months, or even another year, as a sign of respect and to ensure there is a gap between the country’s mourning of the Queen's death and its celebration of a new monarch. At the coronation, Charles’s wife, Camilla, will be named Queen Consort and together they will reign as King and Queen, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith.
What happens to stamps and money?
Coins and notes bearing the Queen's face will not be recalled and will remain in circulation for several years. It is likely to take at least two years for banks and post offices to issue coins and notes with the head of the new monarch. Royal Mail postboxes bearing Queen Elizabeth’s royal cypher, ER, are unlikely to be removed. Royal Mail will, however, change stamps to feature the profile image of the new monarch.
