From 6 February 1952 until her passing in 2022, Elizabeth II reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom. Her 70 years and 214 days of rule are the longest of any British queen and the second-longest of any sovereign monarch in history. She was the Duke and Duchess of York’s first child.
During the Second World War, she started to do public responsibilities while enlisting in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She wed former Greek and Danish royal Philip Mountbatten in November 1947; their union lasted 73 years until he passed away in April 2021. Charles III, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex are their four offspring.
In 1952, the then 25 years old became head of the Commonwealth and queen regnant of seven separate Commonwealth nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka).
Elizabeth was crowned in 1953, and her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees were commemorated in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively. The longest-living and longest-reigning monarch in British history, Elizabeth was also the second-longest-reigning sovereign monarch in history, just trailing Louis XIV of France.
Elizabeth was portrayed as an elegant “fairytale Queen.” After the horrors of World War II, it was a moment of optimism, a time of advancement and success that heralded a “new Elizabethan age.” In the 1990s, her popularity hit a low point. She started paying income tax for the first time as a result of public pressure, and Buckingham Palace was made public. Instead of the Queen herself, criticism was directed at the monarchy as a whole and the behaviour of the Queen’s extended family.
The Queen was said to hold her official residences, including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, as well as the Duchy of Lancaster, a property portfolio valued at £472 million in 2015, in trust for her successors and the country. The Royal Collection, which includes thousands of historical works of art and the Crown Jewels, was mentioned as being held in trust by the Queen for her successors and the nation.
Elizabeth supported more than 600 nonprofits and organisations. Her primary pastimes included riding horses and owning pets, particularly Pembroke Welsh Corgis. She and her family occasionally prepared meals together and cleaned up afterwards, displaying scenes of casual, laid-back household life.
What happens after the death of the Queen now?
A doctor’s fears about The Queen’s health prompted Buckingham Palace to release information earlier on Thursday, which led many to believe that these are likely her final moments. On Thursday, September 8, in the late afternoon, Buckingham Palace announced the Queen’s demise on the Royal.UK website http://Royal.uk website. In the hours after the Queen’s passing, a short bulletin was also released from the Palace.
A painstakingly organised and coordinated process that the palace, the government, the news media, the local authorities, and the queen herself had long prepared goes into motion with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
An operation known as Operation London Bridge, which will take over the nation’s agenda for days and maybe last for months before the coronation of a new monarch, will take place amid the public mourning, the nation’s pain, and the lowering of flags.
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London Bridge is Down
Following the Queen’s departure, Operation London Bridge starts. Hyde Park Corner was the name given to the passing of King George VI, Elizabeth’s father, whereas Tay Bridge was given to the passing of the Queen Mother.
Therefore, after London Bridge is taken down, the Queen’s private secretary Sir Edward Young, KCVO will be in charge of telling the Prime Minister before the information is made public to the remaining 36 Commonwealth countries and the 15 additional countries where the Queen is head of state. The Global Response Center of the Foreign Office, which has offices in an undisclosed part of London, handles this.
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Notifying the Public
When a notification is posted on the gates of Buckingham Palace, the general public first learns of her passing. All employees must wear a black armband that is three and a half inches broad on their left arm.
The Press Association and other news organisations will then get a statement. At this point, the major TV networks will stop airing their regular programming, and the newscasters will don black suits and ties. A blue light flash will signal to DJs on-air to cut to news as soon as possible.
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The Media Coverage
Employees at ITV and Sky have been using the codename, Mrs. Robinson, to refer to the Queen’s passing for years. After the information is made public, news organisations will publish pre-written articles about her lifetime, reign, and legacy. While the race for space will start at all major locales. BBC, ITV, Sky, and others have previously settled on specific locations around Canada Gate at the base of Green Park.
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King Charles III
Prince Charles will succeed Queen Elizabeth as soon as she passes away. In this point, a gathering of the Accession Council will be held at St James’ Palace, and all procedures will be completed. He is free to choose his own name, and is anticipated to become King Charles III. One day after the Queen’s passing, and after his siblings have ritualistically kissed his hand, he will be crowned King. There will be announcements, and Charles will travel to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland while the Queen is lying in state. At St. James’ Palace, he will speak his first words as monarch.
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Before the Funeral
The Queen’s remains will remain at Buckingham Palace for the anticipated 10-day period between her passing and her funeral so that the family can spend time together. However, this would change if she died while in BalmoralAfter that, she will be transferred to Westminister Hall, where she will remain for a few days so that people can pay their respects. The Queen’s body will subsequently be taken to Westminister Abbey for a state funeral on the tenth day. The military and government will organise the burial, which will be witnessed by state representatives from around the world.
Conclusion
A national day of mourning will be observed by the nation (including the stock market), and Big Ben will ring at nine in the morning on that day.
If the Queen passes away while at Balmoral, a few things change. Her remains will be transported from Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to St. Giles Cathedral for a funeral service. By that time, the general public will have been informed, and they will probably gather to shower flowers on the Royal Train as it returns the body to London for the funeral.
In fact, Leverton & Sons, the royal undertakers, maintain a “first call coffin” on hand in case of royal crises.
