Operation Feather will be in place during the Queen's funeral plans
Following the announcement of the Queen’s death yesterday (Thursday 8 September), a number of coded operations are now in place as a period of national mourning continues.
This includes the most well-known, Operation London Bridge, which marks a 10-day period leading up to the funeral and Charles' accession to the throne.
Under this process, the day that the monarch passes is referred to as 'D-Day', with each day leading to the funeral being known as 'D+1', 'D+2' and so on.
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There are also a number of other operations due to come into effect as part of these plans, including Operation Feather, which relates to all-important crowd control measures.
On Wednesday 14 September, or ‘D+5’, it is expected that the Queen’s lying in state will begin in Westminster Hall – known as Operation Marquee – following a ceremonial procession through London.
After the Archbishop of Canterbury conducts a short service following the coffin’s arrival, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay their respects in person by visiting the coffin on its catafalque, as many did when the Queen Mother died in 2002.
The management of the queues outside is what’s dubbed Operation Feather, with the Queen lying in state for four days.
A period of royal mourning has now also been announced from now until seven days after the Queen's funeral.
According to the Royal Family's official website, this is a period of respect 'observed by members of the Royal Family and their Households, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties'.
It said: "During this period, Members of the Royal Family will continue undertaking engagements appropriate to the circumstances. Mourning bands will be worn where appropriate."
The Queen’s death means that Charles is now the country's monarch and will go by the title King Charles III, with the Accession Council - made up of all Privy Counsellors, Great Officers of State, the Lord Mayor and City Civic party, Realm High Commissioners and certain senior civil servants – expected to meet today to proclaim him as the country's new sovereign.
In a short statement, Charles wrote: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
"We mourn profoundly the loss 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.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
Jess Hardiman