What happens now the Queen has died?
The monarch, who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, died at Balmoral on Thursday September 8.
The plans are referred to by the name Operation London Bridge. If the monarch dies in Scotland, an additional plan called Operation Unicorn is put in place. According to the Daily Record, it is understood that if Her Majesty dies in Scotland, Parliament, the neighbouring palace of Holyroodhouse and St Giles' Cathedral, will be the main focal points for journalists and the public.
The Royal Households have a long history of making detailed plans for royal deaths. Operation Forth Bridge was launched following the death of Prince Philip aged 99 in April, while plans for the Queen Mother's death were nicknamed Operation Tay Bridge. Operation Spring Tide is the name for the plans that will see Charles become King, and they will work concurrently with Operation London Bridge. Charles is scheduled to make his first address as the new head of state on the evening of his mother’s death.
Death announcement Operation London Bridge has the 'code phrase' London Bridge is Down, the words used to communicate the death to key people including the prime minister. The PA news agency and the BBC are the first media organisations to receive the news and they will make the announcement to the public at an agreed time.