Operation London Bridge - live: Updates after Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96

The Queen has died aged 96 after serving as monarch for 70 years.

Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday in Balmoral, Scotland, after months of concerns about her health.

Senior royals including Charles, William and Andrew flew to be by her side this afternoon.

Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, said: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

The Queen’s funeral will, according to tradition, be a state funeral, a rare honour mostly reserved for the sovereign.

The only monarch not to be given a state funeral in the last 295 years was Edward VIII, who abdicated.

The day the Queen dies follows a series of carefully constructed plans that have been in place since the 1960s in a process dubbed “Operation London Bridge”.

Last year a report shed new light on the specifics of how protocol will play out in the hours and days following the monarch’s death.

Key Points

• What happens next?

• Operation London Bridge in force

• Queen dies ages 96

National mourning: What happens now the Queen has died?

07:19 , Rory Sullivan

#icymi

Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Edinburgh and Westminster as part of 10 days of national mourning beginning on Friday.

Union flags will be lowered and flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings and military establishments and books of condolence opened at British embassies across the world.

King Charles III and wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, will return to London, having spent Thursday night with immediate family at Balmoral, where the Queen died.

My colleagues Andrew Woodcock and Alastair Jamieson have more details here:

What happens now Queen has died as country enters period of national mourning?

Will Earl of Wessex become Duke of Edinburgh?

06:30 , Sam Rkaina

The Duke of Edinburgh always wanted his youngest son the Earl of Wessex to inherit his title, but the decision now lies with Charles, the new King.

Just three months after Philip’s death in 2021, it was reported that Charles was reluctant to hand the dukedom over to Edward when he became king.

When Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones married in 1999, they were given the titles the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

But Buckingham Palace also announced Edward would eventually one day succeed his father as the Duke of Edinburgh – but not until after the death of both Philip and the Queen.

The palace said at the time: “The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales have also agreed that the Prince Edward should be given the dukedom of Edinburgh in due course when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.”

In keeping with the Letters Patent issued when King George VI gave Philip the title in 1947, Charles inherited the Edinburgh dukedom when Philip died – but he did not use it.

Now, on the death of the Queen, Charles has acceded to the throne and the title has merged with the crown and can be regranted anew.

But despite agreeing to his father’s wishes in 1999, Charles’s thinking was said to have shifted over the years as he reassessed his plans for the future.

He is known to be in favour of a slimmed-down monarchy.

Edward appeared to be aware of the uncertainty, hinting in a TV interview in the aftermath of Philip’s death: “It was sort of a pipe dream of my father’s… and of course it will depend on whether or not the Prince of Wales, when he becomes king, whether he’ll do that.”

If Charles takes no action, the dukedom will remain dormant and Edward will not be the Duke of Edinburgh.

To grant it to Edward, he would need to issue a new Letters Patent – an open document from a sovereign issued under the Great Seal of the Realm.

It could be Charles’s wish instead to keep it for a family member closer to the throne at a later date, such as his two Cambridge grandsons Prince George or Prince Louis.

Philip’s desire for Edward to have the title was in recognition of the earl’s commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the youth scheme which is one of Philip’s greatest legacies.

Charles to tour the UK

05:50 , Sam Rkaina

Having received a motion of condolence in Westminster Hall, King Charles will then begin a tour of the UK home nations including Northern Ireland and Wales, with a brief ceremony in each.

The Queen’s coffin is expected to lie in state for three days at Westminster Hall in advance of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey in central London, a ceremony presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

he will finally be laid to rest at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where her late husband, Prince Philip, and both of her parents, the Queen Mother and George VI, are also buried.

The day of her funeral and that of the coronation of King Charles III will both be national holidays.

What happens now?

04:50 , Sam Rkaina

Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster as part of 10 days of national mourning beginning on Friday.

Union flags will be lowered and flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings and military establishments and books of condolence opened at British embassies across the world.

King Charles III will formally be declared king by the Accession Council, after which a proclamation will be read at St James’s Palace and he will meet Ms Truss’s cabinet.

Strikes called off as mark of respect

03:50 , Sam Rkaina

Planned strikes by rail and postal workers have been called off as a result of the Queen’s death.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were due to walk out on September 15 and 17 in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

Its general secretary Mick Lynch said: “RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

“The planned railway strike action on September 15 and 17 is suspended.

“We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.”

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) also called off planned strikes.

A statement said: “Upon the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has died, TSSA union expresses deepest condolences to her family, friends, the country and those affected by her passing.

“TSSA is cancelling planned industrial action for September and will be respecting the period of public mourning.

“The union pays respect to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.”

Members of the Communication Workers Union were due to continue a 48-hour walkout on Friday in a dispute over pay and conditions.

General secretary Dave Ward said: “Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrow’s planned strike action.”

The train drivers union Aslef has also suspended a planned strike.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We welcome the unions’ decision to call off next week’s strikes and we join them and the rest of the railway family in sending our condolences to the royal family.”

Coffin to lie in rest in Edinburgh

02:50 , Sam Rkaina

People will be able to pay their respects to the Queen as the monarch’s coffin is expected to lie in rest for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

It is expected that members of the public will be allowed in to the church to file past the coffin when it resides there in about three days’ time.

The historic cathedral is situated on the city’s Royal Mile, halfway between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

After news of the Queen’s death was announced on Thursday, Reverend Calum MacLeod, minister of the cathedral, paid tribute to such a “strong and faithful servant”.

In a message on the cathedral’s website, he said: “With the whole nation, we at St. Giles’ Cathedral mourn the death of HM The Queen, strong and faithful servant to the UK and Commonwealth for so many years.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family.”

Bank notes will still be legal tender

01:50 , Sam Rkaina

Current bank notes featuring a portrait of the Queen will continue to be legal tender, the Bank of England has reassured consumers.

A further announcement regarding notes will be made once the period of mourning has been observed following the Queen’s death.

The Queen was the first monarch to feature on Bank of England banknotes, Threadneedle Street said.

Bank governor Andrew Bailey said: “It was with profound sadness that I learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

“On behalf of everyone at the Bank I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to the Royal Family.

“For most of us, she is the only head of state we have ever known, and will be remembered as an inspirational figure for our country and the Commonwealth.”

Vigil due by royal family

Friday 9 September 2022 00:50 , Sam Rkaina

Members of the royal family will be expected in the coming days to hold a poignant vigil around the Queen’s coffin in St Giles.

A service will be held in the cathedral and the Queen’s children are expected to stage a vigil around the Queen’s coffin – known as the Vigil of the Princes – while it lies in there.

The cathedral was founded in about 1124, either by King Alexander I, who died that year, or by his brother King David I, who succeeded him, according to the official website.

St Giles, a popular medieval saint, is patron saint of lepers, nursing mothers and the lame.

In 1985, a stained-glass window was installed above the entrance way, as a memorial to famous Scot Robert Burns.

Other features include The Holy Table, which was dedicated at a Service of Thanksgiving in 2011, in the presence of The Princess Royal.

There are a number of memorials in the cathedral, with the earliest surviving monuments dating from the 1840s, and the most recent marking the 500th anniversary of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2005.

More than a third are war memorials to Scottish regiments and those who died during campaigns in India and the Sudan, the Boer War and both World Wars, the website states.

St Giles’ Cathedral is a registered Scottish charity.

Churches will toll bells on Friday

Friday 9 September 2022 00:20 , Sam Rkaina

Churches are being urged to toll their bells across England on Friday to mark the death of the Queen.

The Church of England has sent out guidance to parish churches, chapels and cathedrals encouraging them to toll their bells or open for prayer or special services following the announcement from Buckingham Palace.

Guidance from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers recommends tolling muffled bells for one hour from noon on Friday.

The online advice highlights protocols to adhere to following the death of a monarch.

This includes urging churches with flag posts to fly flags at half-mast until the day of the funeral, other than for a period following the proclamation of the new King.

It also encourages parishes to open books of condolences.

Churches are also offered information how to deliver official commemorative services and special prayers.

The Church of England website has opened an online memorial book and encourages people to light a virtual candle for the Queen.

More sports events cancelled on Friday

Thursday 8 September 2022 23:50 , Sam Rkaina

Golf

Play was suspended for the day at the BMW PGA Championship and there will be no play on Friday.

Formula 1

Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled with a minute’s silence planned before practice on Friday and another expected before the race.

Horse racing

Racing at Southwell and Chelmsford on Thursday evening was abandoned. The British Horseracing Authority also announced the meetings scheduled for Friday – including the third day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster – have also been cancelled.

Athletics

The Great North Run, the world’s largest half-marathon, is set for Sunday. Organisers cancelled its 5k sister event on Friday, with a decision of the main race due on on Friday.

Cycling

Friday’s Tour of Britain stage has been cancelled with a decision on the rest of the tour to be made.

How sport is being impacted

Thursday 8 September 2022 23:20 , Sam Rkaina

Sporting events are being cancelled following the death of the Queen and more are expected to follow as a period of national mourning begins.

Football

Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford and West Ham’s game against FCSB in the Europa Conference League at the London Stadium went ahead on Thursday evening with pre-match tributes.

The Northern Ireland Football League announced that Friday night’s matches between Cliftonville and Glentoran and Larne and Dungannon have been postponed.

The English Football League also confirmed that Friday night’s Championship game between Burnley and Norwich and the League Two match between Tranmere and Stockport had been postponed, with a decision on Saturday’s fixtures yet to be made.

Cricket

Friday’s play between England and South Africa men at The Oval, along with all scheduled matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place.

Rugby Union

Northampton announced the postponement of their Premiership Rugby Cup clash against Saracens scheduled for Thursday evening.

The Scottish Rugby Union has postponed all domestic competitive games this weekend as a mark of respect and the women’s summer Test international between Scotland and Spain on Sunday is also off.

Selfridges to close on Friday in tribute

Thursday 8 September 2022 22:50 , Sam Rkaina

Selfridges has led tributes to the Queen as the department store said it would not open its doors on Friday.

The company closed early on Thursday and said it would remain closed all day Friday before reopening at the weekend.

“It is with deep sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

“Queen Elizabeth has been a reassuring constant throughout our lives, ascending to the throne on 6 February 1952, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

“Over the past 70 years, her Majesty has been dedicated to the service of our country and the Commonwealth, demonstrating an enormous sense of duty and commitment. ”

It comes as some of the UK’s biggest brands, from Marks & Spencer to British Airways and Harrods shared memories of their interactions with the Queen and sent their respects to the royal family.

British Airways said: “We are deeply honoured and proud to have flown Her Majesty on a number of occasions, moments which we will always cherish.

“Her Majesty has for so long shown immense resilience and encouraged us to stand together to face difficult times, so now we proudly stand together with the United Kingdom, to thank her for her service and bid her a final farewell.”

Department store Harrods said: “Her Majesty stood as a symbol of Britain, bringing comfort, leadership and steadfastness to millions over her 70-year reign.”

Theatres will also be dimming their lights and observing a minute’s silence

Thursday 8 September 2022 22:20 , Sam Rkaina

UK theatres will also be dimming their lights and observing a minute’s silence, playing the national anthem and opening books of condolence prior to performances as a mark of respect.

A statement from the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre said they were “deeply saddened” by news of the Queen’s death.

The message, from Stephanie Sirr and Jon Gilchrist, joint presidents of UK Theatre, and Eleanor Lloyd, president of SOLT, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The theatre industry is thankful for all the support and patronage Her Majesty has shown throughout her lifetime. We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the royal family at this time of national mourning.”

They added that, in accordance with advice from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, scheduled theatre performances would go ahead on Thursday and during the official period of mourning.

The mayor of Paris said lights on the Eiffel Tower would be turned off in tribute to the Queen.

Flags flown at half mast

Thursday 8 September 2022 21:54 , Sam Rkaina

Flags will fly at half mast on UK Government buildings in tribute to the Queen from now until the morning after her funeral.

Following the Queen’s death on Thursday, guidance was issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the flying of official flags.

All such flags, which include Union Flags and any national flag, are to be “half masted on all UK government buildings as soon as possible today until 0800 the day following the Queen’s state funeral”, the department said.

It advises that any non-official flags, which include for example the rainbow flag or Armed Forces flag, should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag flying at half mast.

The Union flag on Buckingham Palace was at half mast on Thursday while a framed plaque announcing the Queen’s death was placed on the front gates by royal household staff.

Similarly, flags at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh were lowered to half mast, along with those at the Scottish Parliament and at Scottish Government buildings.

Half mast means that flags are flown a third of the way down the flagpole, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the pole.

The Royal Standard is never flown at half mast, even after the Queen’s death, as there is always a monarch on the throne – with the role passing to her son the King.

Lights are set to be dimmed across the country

Thursday 8 September 2022 21:49 , Sam Rkaina

Lights are set to be dimmed across the country and abroad following the death of the Queen.

Theatres across the UK and landmarks including the Eiffel Tower are set to switch off their lights as a mark of respect.

The London Eye said it would be dimming its lights from sunset on Thursday in honour of the Queen.

In a statement, the landmark’s Twitter account said: “The London Eye will join with mourners around the world during this period of national remembrance.

“In honour of Her Majesty, we will switch off our lights from sunset this evening.

“We give thanks for the extraordinary life and work of Her Majesty the Queen – her decades of devoted service to her country will remain an inspiration to us all.”

The plans in place after the Queen’s death

Thursday 8 September 2022 20:33 , Aisha Rimi

Plans have yet to be publicly confirmed by Buckingham Palace, but the monarch’s funeral is generally held 10 days after their death.

However, the announcement of Elizbeth II’s death came late in the day - at 6.31pm on Thursday September 8 - meaning plans have been shifted a day to allow the complex arrangements to be put in place.

This means her funeral is likely to take place on Monday, 19 September.

Laura Sampson has the full story:

What we know about plans for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

When will Prince Charles ascend the throne?

Thursday 8 September 2022 20:29 , Aisha Rimi

The day after the Queen’s death, known as D-Day+1, the Accession Council will meet at St James’ Palace to proclaim Prince Charles the new sovereign.

Hundreds of people will be in attendance, including the prime minister and senior government ministers, who will all be asked to wear morning dress or lounge suits with black or dark ties. At 3.30pm, the cabinet and the PM will hold an audience with King Charles.

On D-Day+3, he will receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall.

He will then begin a tour of the UK, with the first duty being a visit to the Scottish parliament. He will go to Northern Ireland the following day to receive a second motion of condolence at Hillsborough Castle.

Charles will then head to Wales and attend a service at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.

How else will the day itself be marked?

Thursday 8 September 2022 20:15 , Aisha Rimi

A national minute’s silence will take place on D-Day. Gun salutes will take place at all saluting stations as organised by the Ministry of Defence.

There will be a “spontaneous” remembrance service held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London with the prime minister and a few senior ministers in attendance.

How has the government responded?

Thursday 8 September 2022 20:05 , Aisha Rimi

The UK parliament has adjourned, as has devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The prime minister, Liz Truss made a statement shortly after the Queen’s death was announced, calling her “a rock of modern Britain”. No other members of the UK government are permitted to make any kind of statement until after the prime minister.

Ms Truss will have an audience with the new monarch, King Charles.

MPs will offer tributes to the Queen in the House of Commons the day after the Queen’s death. Parliamentary business will be suspended for 10 days.

How was the media informed?

Thursday 8 September 2022 19:55 , Aisha Rimi

Historically, the BBC has always been told about royal deaths ahead of other media outlets. However, nowadays it is common for major announcements to go out to the world’s media at once via a news agency such as the Press Association.

Obituaries will have been prepared in advance, as will a number of pre-recorded films and documentaries.

If the Queen’s death is expected – in the instance that she has been severely unwell, as was the case – the news will spread via the main TV channels first, with all BBC channels being interrupted to show the BBC One feed which will broadcast the story. Other independent channels may choose to do this as well.

How are people informed of the Queen’s death?

Thursday 8 September 2022 19:45 , Aisha Rimi

The day that the Queen dies is called D-Day, while every day afterwards will be referred to as D+1 and D+2 and so forth.

A “call cascade” will have taken place hours after the Queen’s death to inform the prime minister, the cabinet secretary, and several senior ministers and government officials.

The prime minister will have been told by the Queen’s private secretary, as will the Privy Council Office.

Departmental permanent secretaries will also have been given a script in order to inform other government ministers that will read: “We have just been informed of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.” Ministers will also be told that “discretion is required”.

The cabinet secretary will have sent an email to senior civil servants. After receiving this email, flags across Whitehall will be lowered to half-mast.

Pilots will also inform passengers on flights if the news is announced when they are in the air.