Rest In Peace, Queen Elizabeth II.

Restless as could be on my final night staying in this hostel in Auckland. I decided to scroll through my phone at 06:37 this morning. I was going to message my friend back in the U.K. and see if he was up for a call when I noticed a rather weird message on my U.K. work chat saying, "Get the medals out". I quickly looked in to realise that everyone was talking about our current reigning Queen Elizabeth II who had passed earlier today.

It was officially announced by a statement from the Royal Family at 18:30 BST on Thursday 8th September. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon."

Codes and Protocols

The first person outside of Balmoral to hear the news of the Queens death, was newly appointed, Prime Minister Liz Truss and this would have been conveyed to her as London Bridge is Down. The message would have also been passed onto key personnel.

Operation Unicorn is what was enacted upon as she had passed away in Scotland. Specifically designed to allow the Queen to be moved to a place of rest before her body would be returned to London. It is also part of Operation London Bridge.

Operation London Bridge is what follows for the next 10 days. BBC presenters (the main news channel for U.K.) were all changed into black, their Channels were moved to rolling news. This operation had been meticulously planned down to every minute and minute detail. A footman will have pinned the announcement to the front of Buckingham Palace.

10 days of Mourning: Following the Queen's death the Britain will go into 10 days of Mourning, which will be ended by her funeral at Westminster Abbey. It is encouraged that the people of Britain be given the day off, but not compulsory. A two-minute silence will be held at midday.

Who comes next? In line for the Throne is Prince Charles, although technically he is now the King of England, it is unofficial until the day after the Queen's death. Although, under common law he becomes King the moment Queen Elizabeth died. His wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was endorsed to become Queen Consort by Queen Elizabeth in her Platinum Jubilee Speech.

Operation Spring Tide is used for Prince Charles' accession to the Throne. Charles will be officially proclaimed King by The Accession Council. During the evening, Parliament's MPs will then swear allegiance to King Charles' III.

Vigil of the Princes is a vigil staged by the Queen's children. It is where here children will stand guard at they lying-in state of Queen Elizabeth II. Her grandchildren will also do the same.

Operation Overstudy is used should the Queen need to be transported by air to RAF Brize Norton or RAF Northholt.

This image from The Daily Mail shows Operation London Bridge.

New Zealand's Plan

I don't know much about what is going to happen over here in NZ with regards to Queen Elizabeth dying. After a quick bit of research I can share the following:

We will be following a 10-day period of Mourning.

New Zealand upon having received the news will fly their flag at half-mast until after the day of the funeral with the exception of Proclamation Day.

Condolence books will be opened at Parliament and the National Library as well as local councils.

There will be 21-gun salutes ordered at an appropriate time.

A state memorial is expected, and decisions on accompanying events will be determined by Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.

Much like Britain, Radio New Zealand broke their coverage to announce the news and began rolling coverage. They have stopped playing punk songs and anything by the band Queen.

There will be a place designated to leave flowers.

Making Her Mark

Queen Elizabeth II has certainly left a mark where ever she went, from the beginning of her reign right to the very end. She was a formidable force.

Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary born to the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in Mayfair, London.

She served during the World War II in the Auxilliary Territorial Service. She trained as a driver and mechanic and was given the title of Honorary Junior Commander, the equivalent to a Captain for a female.

November 1947, Elizabeth married Prince Phillip Mountbatten a Prince of Greece and Denmark, and remained married until Prince Phillip's death in April 2021. They had four children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.

She became Queen Regent at 25 years old after the passing of her father. She has met with five different Popes and 13 different presidents of the United States. She was the longest serving Monarch in the England, and the second longest serving Monarch in World History, only 2 years behind Louis XIV of France.