Royal family: Buckingham Palace ‘furious’ at Queen’s secret death plans being leaked

Buckingham Palace is hunting down a mole who leaked official documents detailing an official plan for the Queen’s death and funeral.

Buckingham Palace aides are reportedly “furious”after detailed documents laying out plans after the Queen’s death were leaked.

Top Palace officials are said to be on the warpath, with a probe into who revealed the documents under way, reports The Sun.

A secret outline for “Operation London Bridge” – codename for plans around the Queen’s death and funeral – reveals every detail of the official response, from Prince Charles’ “mourning tour” of the UK to what royals will post on social media.

It also details fears that London will be “stretched to breaking point” as millions of mourners will likely descend on the city.

The Queen sits alone during Prince Philip’s funeral earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

The top-secret document was handed to a political website in a shocking breach.

And aides are now tracking the person responsible after the plans made headlines around the world.

Such details are meant to remain private and embargoed – as they were when Prince Philip died in April.

The Duke of Edinburgh planned his own funeral arrangements as part of Operation Forth Bridge.

His coffin arrived at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in a specially-adapted Land Rover, as per his specific instructions.

The world heard of his wishes after he died at the age of 99 at Windsor.

According to the document, Prince Charles will be pronounced King the morning after his mother’s death. Picture: Getty Images

But Brits have learned every detail of the plans for the Queen, from the announcement of the monarch’s death to her state funeral 10 days later.

Prince Charles will be pronounced King the morning after his mother’s death, before immediately heading on a tour of the country to grieve with the public.

And the day the Queen dies will be known in Whitehall as D-Day, according to Politico, which published the papers.

The British Prime Minister will be told by Buckingham Palace’s most senior courtier: “London Bridge is down.”

The head of the civil service and top ministers will also be informed.

Flags will be lowered to half-mast across Government buildings within 10 minutes and British parliament will adjourn if sitting.

The Queen is said to be unconcerned about the leak. Picture: Getty Images

‘LONDON BRIDGE IS DOWN’

As when Prince Philip died, the royal family’s website will revert to a black holding page confirming the Queen’s death.

A minute’s silence will be held across the UK, the Prime Minister will have a 6pm audience with the new King Charles, whose succession is codenamed Operation Spring Tide.

The Queen’s coffin will lie in state for public viewing before her funeral.

A hearse carrying the Queen Mother passes Buckingham Palace on its way to her funeral. Picture: AFP

Allaying any concerns about the monarch, insiders say she remains in good health and the document’s leak doesn’t mean there’s been a change in her wellbeing.

According to The Sun, the plan, which is regularly updated, is several months old.

A source said: “The government has extensive plans and it is only right that we do so.

“It is the responsibility of any government to keep plans constantly updated.”

PALACE LOOKS FOR LEAK

Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented – although there’s understood to be uproar at the leak.

A series of new details are believed to have been added to the document to reflect the pandemic.

Officials say they’re worried about how many people will head to London, while there are concerns about a shortage of stewards to manage crowds.

The Queen had to mourn her husband through strict Covid protocols. Picture: Getty Images

Contingencies will also have to be made because of Covid, the papers reveal.

However, there won’t be an extra public holiday and the British Government won’t order companies to give staff the day off.

The Queen, meanwhile, is likely to be cheerfully ignoring the press as she enjoys a well-deserved summer break in Balmoral for the first time since her beloved husband’s death.

She’s set to host British PM Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie and the couple’s young son Wilf this weekend.

– with The Sun

Originally published as Royal family: Buckingham Palace ‘furious’ at Queen’s secret death plans being leaked