Operation "London Bridge is down": That should happen if the Queen dies

Who will be notified when, how is the population informed, what happens to the heir to the throne Prince Charles?The Palace and the Central Government Cabinet Office are responsible, in which there is even a "Bridges" presentation of its own.How the protocol is rehearsed could only be experienced five months ago when Queen -Gatte Prince Philip died - the "Operation Forth Bridge" ran like at the lace -up.

The basic features of "London Bridge" are known at the latest since the newspaper "Guardian" in 2017 reported comprehensively about the plans - which were never denied by the palace.Now the online magazine "Politico" is reporting that the complete process including some new details is available.For example, possible corona conditions are incorporated, and there are also precise regulations for the behavior of the government apparatus in social media.

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It may seem strange that the plans have been available for years and that the Queen should be aware of this.Especially since it is clear that the 95 -year -old monarchy of obviously enjoys the best health.But at an event of this dimension that will have an impact on the whole world - especially since the queen head of state of a dozen states, former British colonies, is - everyone involved must know exactly.Otherwise the emotional mess would cause chaos.The same applies to the media, for example: obituaries have been prepared worldwide for years, as with other celebrities.

Operation

Flags on half mast within ten minutes

But back to the expiry of the "Operation London Bridge", as "Politico" describes him.The day of death ("Death Day") itself is called "D -Day" - the British equivalent to the German "Day X".As soon as the government is informed, the British news agency PA reports the death of the Queen in a flash report, and the palace publishes an official notification.Then the flags are to be reduced to half mast at all public buildings, the goal is a maximum of ten minutes.

The prime minister will be the first to comment and the Royal Family announces the plans for the burial, which will probably take place after ten days.Sales shots and a national minute's silence are arranged before the prime minister meets the audience with the new king - Charles, the eldest son of the Queen.The new head of state will then be planned 18.00 a.m. local time, a speech to his people.In the London cathedral St.Paul's takes place a memorial service.

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But not only the traditional ceremonial is prepared.The plans are also adapted to modernity.According to "Politico", it is prescribed that the banners of the state social media accounts appear in black and the authorities coat of arms is used as a profile picture.Ministeries may only publish the most important messages.On Twitter you are forbidden retweets until the government's head of communication releases them.

The days until the state burial are also prepared.Charles is already king from the second in which his mother dies.However, it is officially proclaimed until the next morning - "D -Day+1".On the "D-Day+2", the coffin of the queen, which most recently resided at Windsor Castle near London, is transferred to the Buckingham Palace in the heart of the capital."D-Day+3" sees Charles on a journey through all parts of the country.First stop: The Scottish capital Edinburgh.

Various aspects of "London Bridge" also have their own code names.This is the name of the enthronement of Prince Charles "Spring Tide" (spring flood) and the three -day opening of the Queen "Feather" (feather).In the meantime, the preparations for the funeral ceremony in the London cathedral of Westminster Abbey are in full swing.The Queen is finally buried at Windsor Castle in the small König-Georg-VI.-Memorial chapel, next to her husband.

"The documents show the extraordinary level of measures that are necessary from all parts of the British state," writes "Politico".For example, huge security operation is planned to cope with "unprecedented crowds and travel chaos".Hundreds of thousands will flow into the city.The online portal quotes from a memo: The death of the Queen can lead to London becoming "full" for the first time.