What happens now that the Queen is dead? Secret plan known as ‘London Bridge is down’

The royal family is all about tradition and ceremony, and the Queen's death has been planned in minute detail for more than 60 years.

Operation London Bridge is the code name for the secret operation that had been meticulously put together for the tragic day when Her Majesty passed away. (There has been a plan in place for what happens when the Queen dies since the 1960s.)

It covers everything from what will happen to her body to how Australia will be involved.

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In 2017, The Guardian published a detailed story explaining in minute detail just what will happen as the United Kingdom and the world contends with the loss of a nearly universally adored figure.

Queen Elizabeth has been handing over some of her royal duties to Prince Charles in recent years. Picture: Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images

LONDON BRIDGE IS DOWN

The first thing that was expected to happen once the Queen was pronounced dead was her private secretary would contact the Prime Minister. The news would be further relayed on secure lines with the coded message of “London Bridge is down".

When the news was made public, TV presenters donned black ties and outfits and pre-prepared obituaries were published and broadcast.

Secondly, a footman wearing black was expected to walk out of Buckingham Palace and attach a black-edged notice to the gates.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of their coronation, Buckingham Palace, 1953. (Colorised black and white print). Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2010. The Duke of Edinburgh died in 2021. Picture: Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images

Leverton & Sons are the royal undertakers and keep a “first call coffin” on hand for royal emergencies, The Guardian has reported. The Queen was at Balmoral in Scotland so her body will be transported back to London by the royal train.

Both the upper and lower houses of parliament will sit as soon as possible, flags will be lowered across the nation and the Commonwealth, British workers will be sent home early and Charles will likely make a live address to the nation that evening.

Any members of the royal family who are travelling or out of the country will return home as soon as possible. It is for this reason they are always required to travel with one black ensemble.

Royal line of succession — the Queen with Prince Charles and Prince William. Picture: AFP PHOTO/Stefan Wermuth

BEFORE THE FUNERAL

The Dukes of Norfolk have been in charge of royal funerals since 1672 and as such the 18th Duke of Norfolk, the Earl Marshal, will be in charge. (They have permanent offices at St James’s Palace to that very end.)

During the 10-day mourning period, the Queen’s coffin will lie in state at Westminster Abbey for the public to pay their respects for 23-hours a day, after which she will be given a full state funeral, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In the lead up, the 10 pallbearers will practice carrying her coffin as members of the royal family are buried in lead-lined coffins.

The Queen with Sophie, Countess of Wessex in 2002. Picture: AFP

THE DAY OF THE FUNERAL

The day of the Queen’s funeral will likely become a national holiday and the London Stock Exchange (and most British banks) will close, costing the economy billions of pounds.

On the morning of the funeral, Big Ben’s hammer will be covered with leather so its famed tones are muffled and there will be a 41-gun salute from Hyde Park.

Once the service starts, across London’s underground, announcements will stop and buses will pull over to the side of the road.

Afterwards, the Queen’s body will be driven to Windsor Castle where she will be buried alongside ten other former monarchs.

KING CHARLES

The day after the Queen’s death, the Ascension Council will meet at St James’s Palace and Charles will be proclaimed King at 11am. (The Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom will observe the Ascension Council.) That evening parliament will meet to swear allegiance to the new sovereign.

Prince Charles will be proclaimed King and Camilla will be known as Princess Consort. Picture: EPA/Peter Dejong

In the days between then and the funeral, King Charles will visit Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The Duchess of Cornwall will officially become Queen Camilla however in 2021 Clarence House confirmed that she will be known as Princess Consort.

THE NEW PRINCE OF WALES

Prince William is likely to inherit the title of the Prince of Wales, although this too will not automatically happen upon the Queen’s death. At a later stage, he will be invested in a lavish ceremony as Charles was in 1969.

Prince William will become the Prince of Wales. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

THE HUGE PRICE TAG

Both Her Majesty’s funeral and Charles’ coronation will both be national holidays. It has been estimated that the loss of productivity for both days will cost the UK somewhere between $2.1 and $10.8 billion.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN AUSTRALIA?

Essentially, a lot of symbolic gestures. The Prime Minister will give a speech (which has most likely already been drafted and is kept on standby), the Australian Defence Force will see to several gun salutes and flags will fly at half mast. The PM and the Governor-General will travel to London for the funeral.

The role of head of the Commonwealth is not hereditary however in 2018 at a Commonwealth Heads of Government ‘retreat’ held at Windsor Castle, it was decided that Charles would be the next head.