The last time the British saw the death of a king was in 1952. Few people lived through it, and not all of them remember it clearly. But British Royal Household protocol knows exactly what is going to happen, when and how.
The most important event of all when triggered by the death of Elizabeth II has already occurred: Charles of England has automatically become, after the death of his mother, King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Also automatically her first-born son, William, has become first in line to the crown.
Operation London Bridge
Also automatically, Operation London Bridge has been launched; a plan that has been combined with Operation Unicorn, so named not in reference to an improbable event, but because the unicorn is the symbol of Scotland, where Elizabeth II died.
This Friday, September 9, Charles III and the Queen consort return to London from Scotland. Charles III will have the first audience with the Prime Minister, Liz Truss. He will also meet with Count Mariscal, who is in charge of organizing the funerals. There will be a memorial service for Elizabeth II at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Official Proclamation
On Saturday, the 10th, the official proclamation of Charles III as king will take place at the Palace of St. Louis. James. Following the agreements laid down in the Act of Union of 1707, Charles III will proclaim the independence of the Church of Scotland. Prior to that, he will have met with the Ascension Council, made up of the members of the Privy Council.
On Sunday the coffin with the remains of Elizabeth II will be moved from Balmoral Palace to Edinburgh. The remains will rest in the Throne Room at Holyrood Palace. The parliaments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will make official proclamations.
Rest in Windsor
On Monday, September 12, the body of Elizabeth II will be moved along Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the avenue that connects Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle, to St. Paul's Cathedral. Giles. A mass will be celebrated there, and the children will hold the "princess vigil". It will not be until the 13th, Tuesday, when the body of Elizabeth II arrives in London. The coffin will arrive at Buckingham Palace wrapped in the royal standard. The following day, Wednesday, it will move to the Palace of Westminster so that the people can pay their respects for five days.
On Monday, September 19, the coffin will be moved to the west entrance of Westminster Abbey, where a service will be held. It will then be placed in a hearse, which will take it to Windsor Castle. A new mass will be celebrated there, already in private, before taking the remains to the crypt where the remains of the Duke of Edinburgh rest. Ten days of official mourning will thus come to an end.
