What is the meaning of Operation London Bridge?

Queen Elizabeth II was not only the Queen of the United Kingdom but also of 14 other Commonwealth realms. She died at the age of 96 at her Balmoral Castle in Scotland, making her Britain's longest reigning monarch. What and Why Operation London Bridge, the plan defining Britain's next steps will be activated.

Operation London Bridge is the name given to the funeral plan of Queen Elizabeth II and it includes the declaration of her death, the period of official mourning, and the details of her state funeral.

The plan was first devised in the 1960s and has been altered numerous times in the years leading up to her death in 2022.

The phrase "London Bridge is down" would be used to convey the Queen's death to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and important staff, starting the plan.

Why it is called Operation London Bridge?

The term “Operation London Bridge” was a Pre-determined phrase. Which typically have been used by the royal family as “Code-names” for Plans relating to the death and funeral of a royal family member. So, Operation London Bridge was the name given to the funeral plan for Queen Elizabeth.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN ‘LONDON BRIDGE HAS FALLEN?

When the Queen dies, the code word is 'London Bridge has fallen.' This will be used to communicate with members of parliament, particularly the Prime Minister until an official statement is issued.

Why was operation Unicorn activated not operation London bridge?

In addition to Operation London Bridge, there is another plan called Operation Unicorn, which explains what would happen if the Queen died in Scotland, as she eventually did.

Because the queen died at her Balmoral residence in Scotland, a backup plan known as Operation Unicorn has been activated. So the queen's body will remain in Scotland for a number of days before being moved to London, most likely by plane.

The rest of the plans under Operation London Bridge will then continue. The queen will be laid in Buckingham Palace's throne room, which overlooks the northwest corner of the Quadrangle interior courtyard.

Next 10 Day by day Plan after the Queen’s death:

Day Zero:

The royal household confirms the queen's death to the public. Following his mother's death, Prince Charles ascends to the throne. He will be referred to as King Charles III. Camilla, his wife, becomes queen consort. The family spends the night in Balmoral.

Charles and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss both issue brief statements. There will be numerous commemorations in honor of Elizabeth, ranging from minutes of quiet to military gun salutes and remembrances.

Day 1:

Charles returns back to London. The Accession Council meets, typically within 24 hours of a monarch's death, and is traditionally held at St. James's Palace.

It formally declares Elizabeth's death and the succession of the new king to the throne.
Parliament issues a condolence statement and suspends normal work until after Elizabeth's funeral.

Week 1:

Elizabeth's body is brought from Scotland to London's Buckingham Palace. Her coffin is carried to Westminster by a ceremonial procession.

She will lie in state in Westminster Hall for three days, also with the public is allowed to visit for 23 hours each day.

As final funeral preparations are being made in London, Charles meets leaders in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Day 10:

A state funeral service is held at Westminster Abbey, prompting a two-minute silence across the United Kingdom. An Emotional Funeral Ceremony Honors Prince Philip

The queen is buried on the grounds of Windsor Castle, alongside her husband, Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, after a funeral service in St. George's Chapel.

Why church bells will be quietened for the next ten days: operation muffle activate?

Churches across the UK are paying tribute to the long-serving monarch by ringing their bells - specifically with muffles to give a more mournful sound.

After months of planning, one hour's muffled chimes will ring out in respect on the days of Her Majesty's death and funeral. Since the death of the Monarch's father in 1952, most of the country's 16,000 churches have not rung muffled bells.

The specifics are contained in Operation London Bridge, the extensive plan for the days following the Monarch's death.

The plan, called Operation Muffle, saw leatherworkers inundated with orders as churches rushed to ensure they were ready for the tragic day after many found their leather mufflers had rotten or gone missing in recent years.

According to Vicki Chapman of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, adding the muffle changes the bells' normal "dong, dong, dong" sound into a thudding sound.

Does this affect the government at all?

Normal politics is paused as the country enters a 10-day period of grief that will remain until the Queen's funeral.

The House of Commons will not assemble at 9.30 a.m. on Friday, as planned. Instead, both Houses of Parliament will meet at noon to pay respect to the Queen in a session that will last until 10 p.m. Ms. Truss will preside over the tributes.

There will also be a rare Saturday sitting, beginning at 2 p.m., when senior MPs will take the oath of allegiance to the King, with condolences continuing until 10 p.m.

The session will end with a "formal humble address" to the King, "expressing the House's deep grief" on the Queen's death, according to a statement from the House of Commons.

When the House reconvenes, all MPs will have the opportunity, but not the necessity, to take the oath to the King.

The timetable for the next days will be determined by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, but it is expected to be drastically reduced until after the state burial as Parliament adjourns. This means that new laws cannot be passed until the Legislature returns.

For more such trending content visit the latest article

Thank you for visiting this log. Leave your feedback in the comments, Please.

What is the meaning of Operation London Bridge? | Why it is called Operation London Bridge? | Everything Explained. [ In Simple terms ]