The London Bridge is down; London Bridge collapsed. This is the code phrase that announced the death of Elizabeth II, the sovereign of UK. When the incumbent monarch disappears, the English court follows a strict protocol to allow preparations for the last farewell. This is to ensure that order and stability of which the sovereign has always been the emblem of her in the 70 years of her reign.
The London Bridge is down
Il day of disappearance is referred to as the 'D-day'and the following days will be the D + 1, up to 10, when i funeral at Westminster Abbey and the burial at the Memorial Chapel of King George VI. The sovereign's body will be transferred from the balmoral castle, where he died, at Buckingham Palace two days after his death. The body will travel on the royal train as required by the operation called 'Unicorn', or alternatively by plane according to the 'Overstudy' device. Charles, until yesterday Prince of Wales heir to the throne, will be proclaimed king today, or the day after his death and will officially take the name of Charles III.
According to the protocol, the first to be informed was the Queen's personal secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt. The latter, in turn, communicated the news to the prime minister. Subsequently, the Foreign Office's Global Response Center informed all the other governors of the countries where Majesty is sovereign, including Canada, Australia and the Bahamas. And only after that to all the other nations of the Commonwealth. The death of Elizabeth, therefore, was not disclosed immediately. The governors general, the ambassadors and the prime minister were the first to learn of the sovereign's departure. The subjects and the rest of the world learned about it later, when the preparation was completed.
Charles III, new king
The information was then transmitted simultaneously to the media around the world. At the same instant, a clerk dressed in mourning walked out of a Buckingham Palace door and posted a black-bordered notice to the gates. The palace website has a screen that shows the same text on a dark background. The flags are lowered at half mast.
24 hours after the death of Elizabeth II, her son King Charles III will deliver a televised address to the nation today Friday 9 September. The new monarch's speech will be broadcast at 18pm UK time, according to Operation London Bridge plans. The proclamation of Charles III as new ruler will take place today by the Accession Council at St. James's Palace, according to the specific protocol. Parliament will swear allegiance to King Charles and all parliamentary activities will be suspended for 10 days.
(Photo Commons Wikimedia)
