Prince Charles, the eldest son to the departed Queen Elizabeth II and heir to the throne is now the King of England following the passage of his mother.
African Informants reports that the former Prince of Wales is expected to address the bereaved nation as the world mourns the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Queen Elizabeth’s children, alongside Prince William and Prince Harry, had kept company of the late queen at Balmoral after doctors expressed worrying concerns over her health.
But, she died hours later after being surrounded by her family.
Following the Queen’s death, Britain and her Commonwealth realms, will witness a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad mourn her passing.
Prince Charles’ accession to the throne will mark a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her witness her Platinum Jubilee this year.
This has been described as a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.
Queen Elizabeth’s passing comes more than a year after her husband Philip died aged 99 in April 2021.
Since his death, her own health faltered, and she was forced to miss an increasing number of events mainly due to ‘mobility problems’ and tiredness.
The Queen served as the U.K.’s reigning monarch for 70 years, making her the second-longest serving sovereign in history.
Born on April 21, 1926, the Queen is 96 years old. She ascended the throne in February 1952.
But what will actually happen after her demise? What protocol is followed when a reigning monarch dies? Here are things to know, according to The Nation:
1. Operation London Bridge — Once the Queen has passed, Operation London Bridge begins. There will be 10 days of activity from the Queen’s death to her funeral.
2. Meeting the Queen’s coffin: Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was just received by the Queen earlier this week, and her Cabinet will meet the Queen’s coffin at St. Pancras station.
3. Prince Charles, who is first in line to the throne will tour the U.K. before the Queen’s funeral. He will stop in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to attend services.
4. Ceremonially, flags across Whitehall will be lowered to half-mast. The royal family’s website will change to a black holding page with the statement announcing the Queen’s passing.
5. Charles will be proclaimed as the new sovereign but the coronation of King Charles III will be planned a few months after the funeral, and the title of Prince of Wales will move to Prince William.
6. The Queen’s coffin will remain in the Palace of Westminster for three days where the public will be able to visit and pay their respects. Parliamentary business in the U.K. will be suspended for 10 days.
7. On the 10th day, the Queen’s body will be moved to Westminister Abbey for a state funeral. The funeral will be attended by state officials from all over the world and will be coordinated by the armed forces and Government.
8. At the BBC, there’s an alarm that signals national emergencies. Many who work there have no idea what it sounds like, but it goes off when the Queen dies. At that point, the BBC’s logo, which is usually red, will be changed to black. And all anchors will wear black suits and ties.
9. Elizabeth is expected to then be buried next to her late husband, Prince Philip, and her father, King George VI.
10. Charles will officially become king and Camilla will become the U.K.’s queen.
