Operation London Bridge was the codename for the detailed set of plans following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The plans had long been planned in consultation with the Government. The following is what happened on Friday, September 9, 2022.
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla stayed at Balmoral overnight on Thursday and returned to London on Friday.
- King Charles III had his first audience as monarch with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
- King Charles III met with Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk who holds the office of Earl Marshal of England and is responsible for the organization of major ceremonial state occasions such as the monarch’s coronation in Westminster Abbey and state funerals. They approved the plans for the events that will happen on the upcoming days. The plans incorporated Operation Unicorn, the contingency plans for the death of The Queen in Scotland.
- King Charles III decided on the length of court mourning for members of the royal family and royal households.
- The Government confirmed the length of national mourning. They announced that the funeral day will be a public holiday in the form of a Day of National Mourning. Union flags on royal buildings will fly 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.
- Bells tolled at Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Windsor Castle, and gun salutes – one round for every year of The Queen’s life – were fired in Hyde Park and at other places. Floodlighting at royal residences was turned off.
- King Charles III made a pre-recorded televised address to the nation, paying tribute to The Queen and pledging his duty to his service as the new sovereign.
- Prime Minister Liz Truss and senior ministers attended a public service of remembrance at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.