09-SEPTEMBER-2022
The Buckingham Palace confirmed yesterday the Queen passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, she was born on April 21, 1926 and was the longest serving monarch in British history. She was in reign for 70 years and carried out hundreds of official engagements annually more than 400 in some years. The queen was a patron of more than 600 charities and organisations.
Liz Truss was the last person that was publicly pictured with the Queen on the Tuesday 6th September, where she was sworn in to be the new Prime Minister of the UK. The new Prime Minister Liz Truss spoke outside Downing Street yesterday said: “Queen Elizabeth left a great legacy.” “In the difficult days ahead we will come together with our friends across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world to celebrate her extraordinary lifetime of service.” MP’s will have an opportunity to pay tribute to the Queen in the House of Commons today which will start around midday and last to around 10pm tonight. There will also be a rare Saturday sitting this weekend where all the senior MP’s will take oath to King Charles 111 from 2pm.
The next few days we will see preparations for the Queen’s funeral and the transition to the reign of King Charles 111. Today will most likely have a gun salute, King Charles and Queen Camilla will return to London and the new King will hold his first audience with Prime Minster Liz Truss. King Charles is also expected to address the nation. The Accession Council, the ceremonial gathering for the official proclamation of the new King, is expected to be held tomorrow. A statement was issued by the Royal Family on behalf of the new King, Charles writes: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.” “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.” “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth and by countless people around the world” “During this period of mourning and change, my family and i will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”
Prince William has now become heir to the throne, but that does not mean that he will become automatically Prince of Wales. That is a title that will have to be granted by his father King Charles 111. It means that William and Kate are currently titled the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
The Queen passing has now triggered a period of national mourning that is nicknamed Operation London Bridge. The arrangements will include Charles tour of the UK, extensive funeral arrangements and a period of mourning. The period of mourning will last ten days and according to documents the Queen’s death is known as D-Day. During the ten day mourning period Union Jacks will be flown at half-mast and books of condolence will be opened. The Queen’s body will also be taken to Parliament, where she will lie in state in Westminster Hall until her Funeral. Media coverage will also reflect the mourning period with TV and radio stations expected to follow a code of conduct. All Parliamentary business will be suspended for ten days, The London Stock Exchange is also expected to close for a short period of time.
What Happens On The Ten Days Of Mourning?
According to Politico, the day the Queen died which was September 8th, 2022- will be referred to as D-Day. Everyday afterward will be referred to as D+1 and D+2 and so on.
D+1
The day after the Queen’s death is the start of the ten days of mourning. The Accession Council will meet at St James’ Palace to proclaim King Charles the new sovereign. Hundreds of people will be in attendance, including the Prime Minister and senior Government ministers. Later in the day, MPs will then have their chance to offer tributes to the Queen in the House of Commons until 10pm.
D+2
The next day will see the Queen’s coffin returned to Buckingham Palace. According to Politico, there are numerous plans in place to facilitate the transportation of her body – depending on the location of her passing. The Queen passed away at Balmoral in Scotland. But plans were in place in the event of her death at other stately homes including Sandringham and Windsor Castle. The PM and ministers will attend a reception to welcome the coffin into the capital.
D+3 & D+4
On D+3 King Charles will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall. After duties in London, Charles will embark on a tour of the UK, visiting Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the capital, there will be a rehearsal for the procession of Her Majesty’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster.
D+5
The Queen’s coffin will be taken from Westminster Hall and travel through crowds of thousands of mourners by gun carriage to Westminster Abbey. A service will then follow.
D+6 TO D+9
The Queen’s body will lie in state in Westminster Hall until her funeral. The coffin will be on a raised box and will be accessible to the public for 23 hours per day for three days.
D+10
The state funeral itself will be held at Westminster Abbey. There will be a two minute’s silence across the nation at midday. Processions will take place in London and Windsor, with thousands expected to attend. There will later be a committal service in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle before the Queen is buried in the castle’s King George VI Memorial Chapel.
