It has all happened rather swiftly … where the death of our beloved Queen was announced less than 24 hours ago …
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| Queen Elizabeth 1926 - 2022 |
Preparations for the death of her Majesty were made as early as the 1960s, regularly updated each year … and more so during the pandemic years …
… as you'd expect where Kings and Queens have reigned for over 1,000 years these plans have been revised and amended as times have changed …
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| Royal Arms of Queen Elizabeth as used in England (NB Unicorn) |
For the Queen – preparations were in place:
Operation Unicorn being the first should she die in Scotland, which as we know occurred;
The details are finalised through the various formal routes of Monarchy and Government … which will be acted upon in the coming days;
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| Platinum Jubilee event at Buckingham Palace for the public |
We don't know all the specific details … but as the hours unfold – we, the public, will be informed.
There are many tributes being paid both from people in all walks of life … many being recorded on radio and tv …
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| She died here in Balmoral Castle yesterday RIP Queen Elizabeth II |
It is a huge shock that our Queen should have departed quite so quickly … but during Thursday it became fairly obvious that things were developing – until the announcement of her death was made at 6.30pm – : RIP Queen Elizabeth II.
The plans for the event of the Queen's death and funeral are occurring concurrently with plans for the accession of King Charles III to the throne.
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| The Royal Standard |
The Royal Standard is never lowered … we always have a Monarch in place … other Union flags fly at half mast …
We are now at this point … the new King will be formally Accessed tomorrow … while other plans will arise as and when. Information is happening quite quickly.
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| Our new King as he was back in 2017 |
The new King has arrived back in London, when he will meet the Prime Minister – herself only three days into the job …
Both houses of Parliament … the House of Lords and the Commons are sitting so that members may record their condolences – these operations will cease at about 6.00pm when the new King will address the nation.
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| David Austin rose - Floribunda 'Queen Elizabeth' |
There will be a service at St Paul's Cathedral this evening … 'The Service of Prayer and Reflection' – which will be broadcast to the nation ...
The bells tolled at mid-day … for our dear Queen, Elizabeth II, rest in peace after decades of Devotion to Duty … 'The Servant Queen'.
PS I will do an ABC type of post in due course ... Change of plan - apologies ... I will not be doing a major post on her life. Perhaps when the Coronation comes along ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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