Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change. In 2022, she became the second-longest-reigning monarch in world history. In her summer residence in Scotland, where members of the royal family had rushed to her side after her health took a turn for the worse.
Charles III will be the next king
The queen’s death leaves her 73-year-old son, Charles, as Britain’s monarch. The British monarchy’s rules state that “a new sovereign succeeds to the throne as soon as his or her predecessor dies.” Which stands that Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son, Charles, becomes the hierarchy of the throne.
Elizabeth’s Funeral to be a Global television event-
Elizabeth’s body is brought from Scotland to Buckingham Palace in London. A ceremonial procession carries her coffin to Westminster. She lies in state at Westminster Hall for 3 days, during which the public can visit for 23 hours each day. Final funeral preparations are being made in London. This will be telecasted on all the major channels and media publications for global mourning.
Currency and Stamps Changes in Britain with Queen’s Death
With Queen’s death, coins bearing the late monarch will slowly begin to be phased out while new ones bearing a portrait of King Charles III will be released. Charles will sit for a new portrait to be used on all new coins, notes, and stamps after he takes the throne.
Queen’s most memorable quotes-
“We are trying to do all we can to help out gallant soldiers, sailors, and airmen. And we are trying, too, to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that, in the end, all will be well”.
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service”.
“Grief is the price we pay for love”.
Operation London Bridge
- What is Operation London Bridge?
London Bridge is down is reportedly the way in which the death of the Queen was communicated to the Prime Minister. Operation London Bridge is the detailed plan, put in place in the 1960s, to play out in the eventuality of the monarch’s death. The plan meticulously lists the procedures that roll out moments after her death and culminates with the funeral 10 days later.
- Who created this plan?
The plan was created in the 1960s and revised many times in the years before her death In 2022. The phrase “London Bridge is down” would be used to communicate the death of the Queen to the Prime minister and key personnel of her Secretary.
- Key Departments involved in the operation.
Bodies involved in this preparation include various government departments like the Church of England, the Metropolitan Police Service, the British Armed Forces, the media, the Royal Parks, London Boroughs, the Greater London Authority, and Transport for London. The Guardian described the planning as, “planned to the minute” with “arcane and highly specific” details.
- Additional Operations
Operation London Bridge, there is an additional plan called “Operation Unicorn”, which details what would happen if the Queen had died in Scotland. Running Concurrently with “Operational Spring Tide”, which addresses the accession of King Charles III to the throne and his first trip to the countries of the UK.
Criticism of Regarding Queen’s Conducts
Criticism at the time of her death is the fact that neither Queen Elizabeth nor any member of the Royal Family ever apologized for the British imperial crimes committed in the past. She wore a crown adorned with the jewels of a past stolen from Britain’s many colonies, yet she never found it politically beneficial to apologize for them, and so she never did. During the Second World War, she trained as a mechanic and driver, and on VE Day, she and Margaret mingled anonymously with the crowds celebrating in London.
Queen Elizabeth was the foot soldier of the colonial empire of Britain, which devasted the 3rd world countries. Her crown jeweled with different precious stones which has been looted from their colonial countries. Even though she cannot be blamed for the misdeeds of her ancestors. She was part of the ‘oppressive rule’, and the Queen was the symbol of racism, genocide and colonialism. Brown and Black people have mixed feelings about her death, as they were subjected to horrendous cruelties and economic deprivation. Queen was the part of the colonial institution, which has its symbol in past and present, in the residual form in Jamaica and some parts of Caribbean.
