Here’s a day-by-day account of what’s expected to happen next, leading up to the Queen’s funeral in around 11 days.
Day of the Dead
Today would traditionally be D-Day or D+0 in plans for the aftermath of the Queen’s death, codenamed London Bridge. But the announcement came late in the day – at 6.31pm. of Thursday 8th September – meaning the plans have been shifted a day to allow for the complex arrangements to be implemented, meaning D+0 will be considered a Friday. The new king had rushed to the queen’s bed. Charles was joined by the monarch’s other children, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, and the Duke of Cambridge, now heir to the throne, with the Duke of Sussex also traveling there. Camilla – the new Queen – and the Countess of Wessex are also at Balmoral. The King and Camilla – now the Queen – will remain at Balmoral tonight and return to London on Friday. On Friday, the following are expected to happen – Δ+0. But the specific plans have not yet been confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
D+0 – Friday September 9th
The King and Queen return to London – Charles and Camilla will stay at Balmoral overnight on Thursday but return to London on Friday. Audience with the Prime Minister – Despite his sadness, duty calls for a new sovereign Charles and his first audience as a monarch with Prime Minister Liz Truss is expected to happen as soon as possible. Confirmation of funeral plans – Charles will meet the Earl Marshal – the Duke of Norfolk – who is responsible for the Queen’s accession and funeral, to approve the carefully choreographed program for the coming days. The arrangements – codenamed London Bridge – have long been planned in consultation with the government. Plans for the wake of the Queen’s death have been codenamed London Bridge (Anthony Devlin/PA) They will incorporate Operation Unicorn, the emergency plans for the Queen’s death in Scotland. During the coronavirus pandemic, the government and the royal household prepared a ‘London minus’ version of the London Bridge plans in case it was needed – which is now unlikely – with all the elements but with fewer people involved. Court mourning – Charles will decide the length of court or royal mourning for members of the royal family and royal households. It is expected to last a month. National Mourning – The Government will confirm the length of national mourning, which is likely to be around 12 to 13 days, between now and the day after the Queen’s funeral. They will also announce that the day of the funeral will be a holiday in the form of National Mourning. Flags – Union flags on royal buildings will be flown at half mast. The Royal Standard never flies half-mast. It represents the Sovereign and the United Kingdom and is a symbol of the continuation of the monarchy. If the new king resides in a royal palace or castle, the Royal Standard will fly there at full mast, as is tradition. The Union Flag does not fly at the same time. The Union Flag will also fly at half-mast over the Parliament Buildings. The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for arrangements for the lowering of flags on government buildings. Downing Street has reportedly expressed concern in the past that the government would face a wave of public anger if it did not lower its flags within 10 minutes of announcing the Queen’s death. Flags will fly at half-staff (PA) (PA Wire) Bells and gun salutes – Bells will be rung at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Windsor Castle, and gun salutes – one round for each year of the Queen’s life – will be fired in Hyde Park and others stations. The floodlights in the royal residences will be switched off and the public will start leaving flowers as tributes will flood in from around the world. Charles’ televised address – The King will make a televised address to the nation, which he is to record in advance. He will pay homage to the queen and commit to his duty in his service as the new sovereign. Service at St Paul’s Cathedral – The Prime Minister and senior ministers will attend a public memorial service at St Paul’s in central London, with the event planned to appear impromptu.
D+1 – Saturday, September 10
At 10am the day after the Queen’s death, the Council of Accession usually meets at St James’s Palace in London to formally declare Charles as the new sovereign. First, the Privy Council meets without the King to proclaim the new monarch and arrange the business associated with the proclamation. Charles then holds his first Privy Council, accompanied by Camilla – the new Queen – and William who are also privy councillors, and makes his personal declaration and oath. The first public proclamation of the new sovereign is read outdoors from the balcony of Friary Court at St James’s Palace by the Garter King of Arms. Announcements are made throughout the city and throughout the country. King Charles III to hold first Privy Council on Saturday (PA) (PA Wire) Union flags are raised again at 1pm and remain there for 24 hours to coincide with the proclamations before returning to half-staff. Charles will also have an audience with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
D+2 – Sunday, September 11
The Queen’s coffin is expected to be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The proclamations will be read in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
D+3 – Monday, September 12
The procession is expected along the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral. Procession and Vigil of the Princes by members of the royal family. The public can have the opportunity to pass the Queen’s coffin in a mini lying in state at St Giles. The House of Commons and the House of Lords are expected to meet in Westminster for a condolence proposal, which could be attended by the King. After leaving England and visiting Scotland, Charles will at some stage travel to the other countries of the UK – Wales and Northern Ireland – known as Operation Spring Tide.
D+4 – Tuesday, September 13
The coffin is expected to be taken to London. He is expected to rest at Buckingham Palace. Rehearsal for the procession of the coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster.
D+5 – Wednesday, September 14
The Queen’s enthronement is expected to begin at Westminster Hall – Operation Marquee – after a ceremonial procession through London. It will last four whole days. The Archbishop of Canterbury will hold a short service after the coffin arrives. Hundreds of thousands of people will pass the coffin in its sanctuary and pay their respects, as they did for the Queen Mother’s vigil in 2002. Queen Elizabeth II on a walk in 1977 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales (Ron Bell/PA) (PA Wire) Managing the queues outside is Operation Feather. During the Covid-19 crisis, plans included the possibility of introducing timed ticketing for those wanting to attend. Senior members of the royal family are also expected to pay their own moving tributes, at some stage standing guard around the coffin – the tradition known as the Princes’ Vigil.
D+6 – Thursday, September 15
Lying in state continues and there is likely to be a rehearsal for the state funeral.
D+7 – Friday September 16 – Sunday September 18
The recumbent state continues, ending on D+9. Heads of state begin to arrive for the funeral.
D+10 – Monday, September 19
The Queen’s state funeral is expected to take place at Westminster Abbey in central London. The original plans are for the Queen’s coffin to be carried in a gun carriage to the abbey, which is pulled by seamen – sailors – using ropes rather than horses. Senior members of the family are expected to mourn – just as they did for the funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. The army will line the streets and also participate in the march. Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royalty and key figures in public life will be invited to gather at the abbey, which can accommodate a congregation of 2,000. The service will be televised and a national two-minute silence is expected. On the same day as the funeral, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for a televised ceremony. Later in the evening there will be a private burial service with senior members of the royal family. The Queen’s final resting place will be the King George VI Memorial, an annexe to the main chapel – where her mother and father are buried, along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret. Philip’s coffin will be moved from the Royal Vault to the memorial to join the Queen’s coffin.
