We Should Expect When the Queen’s Reign Comes to an End

Queen Elizabeth II is the world’s longest-reigning monarch, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else taking her place. She represents stability and order. But the Queen is in her nineties, the inevitable will happen, and the plans for this sad occasion are already in place.

Prince Charles

The throne can’t be vacant. As soon as Queen Elizabeth’s death is confirmed, Charles will become the new English monarch. King Charles will address the nation on the evening of his mother’s death, and he will visit the home nations of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to meet his people the next day. Despite the circumstances that brought her into the family, under current law his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, will become Queen Camilla.

Operation London Bridge

When the news breaks, the code "London Bridge is down" will trigger one of the most intricate and detailed funeral plans. Everything is already planned. There are different transportation plans depending on where the Queen will pass away. Nothing is left to chance. It is

Informing the world

The Queen’s private secretary will be the first to know. They will give the news to the Prime Minister, whatever the hour. After this, the news will travel to the 51 nations of the Commonwealth outside the UK where the Queen is a head of state or symbolic figurehead. A black-edged notice will be displayed at the gates of Buckingham Palace. At the same moment, an announcement will be released to the world’s media.

Parliament

Both houses of Parliament will gather within hours of her death to swear allegiance to their new sovereign. If the Prime Minister is not in London or Parliament is on a recess, they will be expected to come back as a matter of urgency.

New money

The Queen’s name, initials, and images will be replaced by those of King Charles, whose portraits will already have been made in advance. New banknotes, coins, and stamps will be minted in the UK and Commonwealth countries, but it won’t happen overnight. Older coins and banknotes will be gradually replaced by new ones over the course of several years.

Prince William

Prince William will become the first in line of succession and will most likely take the title Prince of Wales. His wife, Kate Middleton, will become the Princess of Wales, the title once held by William’s mother, Diana Spencer.

The public’s goodbye

The public will be able to pay their respects to the Queen one last time. She will lie in state in Westminster Hall, and people will file past the coffin for 23 hours. After this, the Queen’s body will be transported to Westminster Abbey, where the service will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.