The world is responding to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. She was the longest reigning British monarch and lived to be 96. Many are asking “what happens now?”
Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch of the United Kingdom for the past 70 years. She died with family around her at her home, Balmoral.
“Operation London Bridge” and the call sign for the queen’s death were supposed to remain secret, but it’s been known to the public for years. The funeral will be the largest in history and is set to be held 10 to 12 days after the Queen’s death. Unless things change, the Queen’s death will be referred to as “D-Day,” the military term for major new operations, and a nod to the 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy that heralded the end of World War II.
The day following her death will be “D+1,” until her funeral on “D+10,” which will be declared a “Day of National Mourning,” according to the plans.
The day after the Queen’s death, “D-Day+1,” the Accession Council will meet at St. James’ Palace at 10 am to officially proclaim King Charles the new sovereign, according to the leaked plans.
The proclamation will then be read at St. James’ Palace and the Royal Exchange in the City of London. This will confirm Charles as king.
The new king will then meet with the prime minister and his senior cabinet officials, according to the plans.
The funeral will be held on the 10th day at Westminster Abbey — the first funeral of a British monarch there since 1760. The London Stock Exchange will cease business and UK banks will close.
A service of committal will take place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the Queen will be buried in the castle’s King George VI Memorial Chapel.
The new British national anthem will be “God Save the King, and there will be new currency printed with the image of King Charles on it. King Charles will meet with multiple government leaders in the British Isles, traveling to the capitals of Edinburgh, Belfast, and Cardiff.
Queen Elizabeth will be missed, but the royal line continues.
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