Operation Mani Bridge. That's the code name for when King
Charles dies.
King Charles took the throne immediately following his mother's death,
Queen Elizabeth the Second. In
2022, at age 73, he became the oldest person in
British history to do so.
But planning for his death had already begun way before
he was officially crowned in
2023. I'm Joy Marie McKenzie,
business insiders editor in chief of our Life division,
Operation Menai Bridge refers to the suspension bridge built in
Wales in
1826. The location holds real significance for Charles.
He's the longest serving Prince of Wales.
Details about the plan have been kept really under wraps,
but it's expected to be a rerun of what happened
when Queen Elizabeth died.
So here's what's going to happen.
As soon as the King dies,
the palace will promptly notify British officials,
from the Prime Minister to government members.
Then the Foreign Office will tell the governments where King
Charles is head of state and inform the nations within
the Commonwealth where he holds a symbolic role.
Then the Royal household will issue an official notification to
the public.
There'll also be a notice on the gates right outside
of Buckingham Palace.
Then the news will be spread throughout the press.
When King Charles dies, the Union Jack will be lowered
at half mast.
It'll happen in places with significance,
like Whitehall, where most government offices are located,
as well as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
His death will put an immediate halt to parliamentary proceedings,
not just in England, but also in Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland. Many businesses will suspend operations too.
As the nation enters a period of mourning.
Buckingham Palace will become the central place for people to
express their condolences.
The most voted royal fans will make their way from
far around the country and even all over the world
as they pay their respects to King Charles.
That's exactly what happened when Queen Elizabeth passed away.
Charles's coffin reliance state at Westminster Hall for the public
to pay their respects.
When the Queen's coffin was there,
around
250,000 people waited for hours in line to send their
condolences.
The funeral will probably take place around 10 days after
his death.
Given that the funerals for the Queen,
Princess Diana and the Queen Mother all happen at Westminster
Abbey,
it's likely that Charles's funeral will be there too.
The UK Treasury said that the British government spent roughly
160,000,000 lbs on the Queen's funeral and the surrounding events.
Even if Charles does opt for a smaller funeral,
it'll probably still cost millions.
After the service, a procession will take Charles's coffin from
London to Windsor Castle.
That's the place where Charles will be laid to rest.
The minute King Charles dies,
his son Prince William immediately becomes king.
Royal experts say that one of William's first official duties
will be to address the nation
in his address. It's expected that he will of course,
acknowledge his father, but also acknowledge his role as the
new head of the monarchy.
Within 24 hours, the Accession Council will meet to officially
make William king.
Shortly after, he'll swear his loyalty to Parliament to the
Church,
and then he'll become the Supreme Governor of the Church
of England.
The oaths go both ways,
though After William ascends the throne,
the members of both Houses of Parliament must also swear
their loyalty to him
while he immediately becomes king.
William probably won't be coordinated right away.
That'll happen a few months later.
He'll be crowned at Westminster Abbey,
a tradition that's been held for the last
900 years. Meanwhile, the wife of the new King Kate
will become Queen Consort.
She won't be known as Queen Regent like Queen Elizabeth,
since she's not head of a monarchy.
If King Charles's wife Camilla outlives him,
she'll then be known as the Queen Dowager.
That's typically the title given to the widow of a
King.
Kate and William's son, Prince George,
will then be next in line to the throne.
He'll automatically receive two titles,
Duke of Cornwall and Roxy,
but he may only hold those titles briefly.
Typically, the monarch's heir is known as the Prince of
Wales.
Meanwhile, Georgia's siblings and the rest in line for the
royal throne will each move up a rank.
A royal expert told us that Princess Charlotte and Prince
Louis may no longer carry the title of Wales.
Instead, they'll be addressed as the Princess Charlotte and Prince
Louis.
With the succession, the Bank of England will print new
currency.
British banknotes always bear the likeness of the current monarch,
so Charles's image will be phased out and replaced by
Williams.
But it may take several years before we see Charles
completely gone from everyday coins and banknotes.
Passports and stamps will also be updated with the new
monarch,
but that will probably happen slowly,
too. In the course of Williams reign,
if there's any new mailboxes installed,
for instance, those will bear his personal emblem,
too. Police officers and even soldiers will eventually receive updated
uniforms with Williams Insignia,
but that may take some time as well.
Although the monarchy is waning in popularity,
there's no doubt that King Charles dedicated his life to
the monarchy,
and in his death, the monarchy will pay their respects
to him.