It has been 4 days since the demise of Queen Elizabeth II and condolence messages and prayers are pouring the London. King Charles III who was the eldest son of the queen stated that she had lived a good life and now on the way to his Papa. Queen passed away on 8 September after a brief illness at the Balmoral Castle. She had ruled the United Kingdom and 15 other commonwealth countries for more than 70 years. She is to set off for her final journey on 19th September with the participation of world leaders, distinguished guests and family members at the West Minister Abbey.
The British Monarch is famous as a monarch who strictly admire and practice the royal customs and traditions. There are certain customs and traditions that they need to follow until the funeral is taking place on 19th. In this article we are going to explore the activities that are taking place during the mourning period from the time her death until the funeral.
According to the traditions, queen’s funeral will be taken place on the 10th day of her death. Although she died on 8th September, the official announcement released on 9th and ten days from 9th September, on 19h the funeral is scheduled. On 9th Newly crowned King Charles with his queen consort arrived at London from the Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Then he held the first official meeting with the British Prime Minister Liz Truss. Thereafter, King Charles III met the Earl Marshal and Duke of Norfolk who is responsible for conducting Monarch’s coronation and state funerals. King Charles had instructed him as to how to plan and execute the “Operation Unicorn” – a code name for logistics plan related to funeral arrangements in Scotland.
After these official meetings, King Charles addressed the commonwealth countries in a recorded message. During this time the prime minister and the senior ministers in the cabinet gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral for a remembrance service for the queen. After that King Charles declared a seven-day mourning period and a public holiday when the funeral will take place.
According to accounts of plans the day of the queen’s death named as D Day. The next day would be D- Day+1 and the count go on until D- Day+10 until the funeral. On D- Day+1 (within the first 24 hours of queen’s death) An “Accession Council” gathered at Sent James Palace and held few important meetings. They officially announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II and accession to the thrown of King Charles III. Thereafter, the proclamation noticing the accession of King Charles is read at the balcony of Sent James Palace followed by gun salute. Upon becoming crowned king, for the first time King Charles addressed the Prime Minister and the Cabinet later that day. Note that the body of queen still lies at the Balmoral Castle.
On D-Day +2 except England, the heads of the states of the other countries in the United Kingdom -Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland officially announce to the public the accession of King Charles III. The coffin of the queen lay at Cathedral and transported by car to Edinburgh before it was flown to London. The coffin was to be received by the prime minister and escorted to Buckingham Palace for mourners to gather and pay respects. Meanwhile, King Charles is on a shoring mission across the UK to meet up with political leaders to receive condolences.
On D-Day +3 and 4 King Charles will arrive at Belfast in Northern Ireland to meet up with political leaders while his mother’s coffin lies at the Buckingham Palace for the public to pay respect. King will receive the condolences from state leader and other political leaders at the Hillsborough Castle. King and his queen consort will participate a remembrance service at Sent Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast. They will return to London on the same day. There will be rehearsal for the funeral procession from Buckingham Palace to West Minister Abbey on the fourth day.
On D-Day+5 The Official Royal Funeral Procession will begin with the participation King Charles and Queen consort Camilla. Queen’s coffin will be laid at the West Minister Hall followed by a funeral service. After that public can pay their final respect to the beloved queen.
On D-Day +6 and 7 also the queen’s coffin will be laid at the same venue for the last respect. It is expected that thousands of people would be arrived at London to pay their last respect. On D-Day +8 King Charles is to travel to Wales for official meetings.
On D-Day +9, high profile officials of British Government and the Royal Families from other states to arrive at London to pay their respect to the departed queen.
On D-Day 10 – Monday the 19th, Royal Funeral will be held at the West Minister Abbey. The coffin will be transferred from West Minister Hall to West Minister Abbey for the final funeral service. The coffin will be accompanied by immediate family members of the royal family. The proceedings expected to be live telecasted and there will be two minutes silence observed.
Upon completion of the funeral service and other formalities, the coffin will be brought to Wellington Arch and later to the Windsor Castle. Later on, the coffin of the Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest near King George VI memorial place at the Sent George’s chapel. Only the immediate family members of the Royal Family are allowed to attend this event.
With that, the ten days lasted funeral proceedings will come to an end.