OPERATION: "London Bridge Is Down" Is The Code Name For The Secret Plans After The Queen Of England Dies
Apparently the Queen is quite ill. Sad day, I guess. Boohoo. I personally don't care about the Royal Family. I usually ignore all news about Kate and William and Meghan and Harry and their pedofile uncle. As an American, it is my duty not to click on or listen to any news about the Royal Family. George Washington didn't cross the Delaware on Christmas just to have me surrender my clicks to the Daily Mail.
Having said that...A sovereign dying has never happened in our lifetimes. We've seen Royal weddings, royal births, royal criminal investigations, but never a royal funeral (unless Ghislaine starts talking). Now, after 70 years on the throne and 96 years on the planet it appears that Queen Elizabeth is quite ill, sadly.
And apparently it's so serious that the next sovereign in line, Charles, has already told people he is changing his name because he doesn't want to be King Charles III and Meghan and Harry are rushing to the Queen's bedside
The entire nation has been preparing for this day and honestly…the code name is sick. "London Bridge Is Down" got leaked to politico and other publications a while ago and I am glad it got out. People never know what is said about them when they die, but the Queen at least got to know that she has a bad ass funeral code name. Imagine being so important that a simple "The Queen is dead" memo wasn't enough. They need a sweet code name. Love that for her. London Bridge is down.
London Bridge Is Down is a VERY formal process. Nobody better step out of line on this one. These are the plans per leaked documents. They are also referring to the day of her death as "D-Day". Again…what a language to invoke.
--The royal family will announce plans for the queen’s funeral, which is expected to be held 10 days following her death.
--The prime minister will be the first member of the government to make a statement. All other members of the government will be instructed not to comment until after the PM has spoken.
--The Ministry of Defence will arrange for gun salutes to take place at all saluting stations. A national minute’s silence will be announced.
--The prime minister will then hold an audience with the new king, and at 6 p.m., King Charles will deliver a broadcast to the nation.
Being the new King has to be the weirdest thing in the world. You have to mourn your parent who passed, which no matter the nature of the relationship, is difficult for anyone, but at the same time…you're the fucking King. One of the biggest influencers in the world not on tiktok. Heir to a 1000 year+ tradition, ungodly money, and a big ass house. A lot to process.
D-Day +1
At 10 a.m. on the day after the queen’s death, the Accession Council — which includes senior government figures — meets at St. James’ Palace to proclaim King Charles the new sovereign.
Hundreds of privy counselors, including the PM and senior ministers, will be asked to attend, with gentlemen expected to don morning dress or lounge suits with black or dark ties. No decorations are to be worn.
The proclamation will then be read at St. James’ Palace and the Royal Exchange in the City of London, confirming Charles as king.
Parliament will meet to agree on a message of condolence. All other parliamentary business will be suspended for 10 days. MPs will give tributes in the House of Commons.
At 3:30 p.m., the prime minister and the Cabinet will hold an audience with the new king. Ministers will be told not to bring their spouses.
There are TEN DAYS of plans like this. The coffin zig zagging all over the place. I just can not relate to this. There is nothing in American culture like this. If a former President dies we fly the flag at half mast for like half a day and then the next day people who hated that president will tweet about how problematic he was. I don't think there is a single person in America important enough for the entire country to shut down for 10 days. Maybe Michael Jordan. I just can't wrap my mind around it. If you want to read the full ten day plans, you can click here to read all the way through D-Day +10.