Secrets of Queen’s funeral revealed
As the Queen enters the twilight of her long reign, the secret plans for the observance of her death and the accession of a new king are being finalised.
As the Queen enters the twilight of her long reign, the secret plans for the observance of her death, 10 days of mourning, a state funeral and the accession to the throne of a new king are being finalised and shared with Commonwealth countries.
The Weekend Australian has obtained the brief given to successive prime ministers that has recently been reviewed and revised. A new brief has been prepared for Anthony Albanese, who would have a role in services in Australia and the UK.
These closely guarded plans now include: a national day of commemoration, likely to be a public holiday; four official Australian mourners and 10 to 12 notable Australians being invited to the Queen’s funeral; and a special meeting of the Executive Council to proclaim Charles III king of Australia to be read publicly by the governor-general.
The prime minister is expected to be informed about one hour before a statement is made announcing the death of the Queen. This advance notice will come from Buckingham Palace via Government House. This practice was observed with the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, last year.
The staff of recent prime ministers and governors-general have carried a black tie to be worn immediately the news is received. The prime minister and governor-general are expected to return to Canberra, if not already there, and make a statement that has been drafted.
Two RAAF planes will pick-up Pacific leaders to transport them to London for the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey. This is being referred to as “the milk run” and will ease the challenging transport logistics as leaders converge on London.
The prime minister and the governor-general will travel in different planes.
In 2017, The Weekend Australian revealed the detailed plans to mark the death of the Queen in the UK and Australia, and the laws and traditions that must be adhered to as Charles becomes king. These plans have since been updated.
The royal funeral plans and the accession of a new monarch, known as “bridges”, have been overseen by the Duke of Norfolk in his capacity as Earl Marshal. The Queen’s funeral plan is known as London Bridge.
When the words “London Bridge is down” are uttered, the plan will guide the complex sequence of legal, constitutional and ceremonial obligations.
The Inter-Realm Working Group, made up of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House officials, has been in regular contact with Australian governors-general and prime ministers.
A team in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has been working on the Australian component of the London Bridge plan.
The day of the Queen’s death is designated as “D-Day” and will be followed by 10 days of mourning and remembrance, known as D+1 through D+10. This lengthy process is known as “the demise of the crown”.
Each realm will send four official mourners for the funeral which are likely to be the prime minister, the governor-general and their partner or spouse. The opposition leader will not be among them. A select group of people from all walks of life – such as Indigenous Australians and representatives from charitable, religious, sporting and community groups – will also be invited.
The moment the Queen dies, the Prince of Wales will become King Charles III and Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, becomes heir. A coronation will be held later.
Elizabeth became Queen in February 1952 and was crowned in June 1953. At age 96, she is the longest reigning British monarch.
At 10am on D+1, the Accession Council will meet at St James’s Palace to proclaim Charles as King. It is made up of Privy Counsellors, the Lord Mayor of London and Court of Aldermen, the Great Officers of State and senior civil servants.
Australian-born Privy Counsellors include Sir William Heseltine, Ian Sinclair and Patricia Hewitt. Australia’s High Commissioner to London – currently vacant – will be invited to observe proceedings.
The signed proclamation announcing the new king will be read from the balcony above Friary Court at St James’s Palace. In Australia, the Executive Council will approve a proclamation affirming Charles as King of Australia. This could comprise the full cabinet.
The governor-general will read the proclamation at Parliament House. This proclamation will include the King’s expected Australian title: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.
Parliament must amend the Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 to give the title legal force.
The announcement of the Queen’s death will be made from Buckingham Palace. A framed notice will also be placed on the fence. The palace floodlights will be extinguished.
At 12pm on D-Day or D+1, the bell at Windsor Castle will toll once per minute for each year of the Queen’s reign. Bells will also toll at St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Bells will ring at churches across Australia.
At 11am on D+10, Big Ben will strike once to mark the beginning of two minutes of national silence.
There will be a gun salute at Lake Burley Griffin on D-Day or D+1, and further salutes over the next 10 days.
Flags will be flown at half-mast in the UK and Australia for 10 days, except the day of accession. Condolence books will be opened online and around the UK, as well as at Parliament House in Canberra.
The Queen’s casket will move in procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on D+5. Big Ben will toll for each minute during the procession. The lying in state will take four days (D+6-D+9).
On D+10, there will be a procession to Westminster Abbey for the funeral at 11am. A committal service will be held at 3.55pm at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. A private burial will take place at The King George VI Memorial Chapel at 7pm.
An Australian service is being planned at an Anglican cathedral after the state funeral. This could be, subject to state agreement, a national public holiday. Parliament, if not sitting, will be recalled for a condolence motion.
The Elizabethan age will end and the reign of Charles III will be ushered in with majestic pomp and ceremony.
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