With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II a complicated process of logistics and protocol has been set in motion. Here’s what we know about the changes on their way.
What happens now?
In the UK:
Within minutes of the Queen’s death, a meticulous plan for the aftermath of her passing was put into action. Codenamed Operation London Bridge, it was accompanied by some special provisions known as Operation Unicorn, setting out what to do should her death occur at Balmoral, the royal family’s Scottish holiday home.
Under the Unicorn plan, the Queen’s coffin will be driven to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official royal residence in Edinburgh, where it will rest for two days. A ceremonial procession will then take place to nearby St Giles’ Cathedral, where a service is expected to be attended by the royal family. After being flown back to London, her coffin will be brought to Buckingham Palace before a ceremonial procession through London on Wednesday (UK time) to Westminster Hall, where the Queen will lie in state until her funeral on Monday.
In New Zealand:
As Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state in New Zealand, you might be wondering if we are now headless. The constitutional issue is an easy one to address. Prince Charles is now King Charles III, sovereign, the King of New Zealand and head of state. His ascendancy to the throne is immediate.
Decisions on events and protocols following the death of the Queen will be made by the prime minister, but here is what we know so far about what will happen in New Zealand.
A period of national mourning has started, following the prime minister’s address this morning. It will continue until after the New Zealand state memorial service which will happen after the Queen’s funeral in the UK. The New Zealand flag will be flown at half-mast from the announcement of the death up to and including the day of the funeral. Condolence books will likely be opened at parliament and the National Library, as they were following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, and by local councils around the country.
There will be a 96 gun salute starting at 6pm, Friday night on the Wellington waterfront in front of Te Papa. Places will be designated for members of the public to leave flowers. The governor-general’s website will continue to be updated with information for the public.
When is the funeral?
Following the 10-day period of mourning, the state funeral is expected to be held on Monday September 19 (UK time) at Westminster Abbey in London.
Governor-general Dame Cindy Kiro and prime minister Jacinda Ardern will travel to the UK next Thursday in order to attend the funeral.
Where will the Queen be buried?
After the funeral service at Westminster Abbey, the coffin will be transported by hearse to Windsor. Queen Elizabeth II will be buried at St George’s Chapel, just outside Windsor Castle. The body of the Queen’s husband Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, will be moved from the Royal Vault at Windsor so the two of them can lie together.
When will Charles be crowned?
King Charles III’s coronation will likely not be for another several months while the Commonwealth mourns the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. But this does not mean he isn’t already King – according to royal protocol once the sovereign dies the successor takes over as head of state immediately.
In the initial days following the sovereign’s death a formal proclamation is made before the Accession council, then King Charles III will travel to Westminster Hall to receive a motion of condolence, and begin a tour of Britain.
A coronation is not a rushed event, Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in February 1952, but wasn’t officially crowned until June 1953.
On his coronation day King Charles III will be crowned with the St Edward’s Crown made of solid gold and laden with 444 gemstones.
Is Camilla queen?
Camilla will be known officially as the Queen Consort, a title given to the spouse of a King. People who marry into the royal family cannot inherit the throne. Although her title will not give her sovereign power, she will probably be referred to as Queen Camilla.
There has always been a bit of uncertainty around what Camilla’s title would be once Charles became King. But the Queen announced earlier this year that it was her wish for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort when the time came.
Is William now the Prince of Wales?
William will eventually become the Prince of Wales. Probably. It’s not an automatic title, but it usually goes to the heir apparent, which William now is. William won’t officially become the Prince of Wales until he is granted this title by his dad. An investiture ceremony will also take place, which basically just recognises the new Prince of Wales.
Kate will also become the Princess of Wales, a title that has not been used since the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
What happens to our currency?
Don’t worry, you can still use banknotes and coins with the Queen’s face on them.
What about passports?
Your passport that says “Her Majesty The Queen” is also still valid.
New passports will eventually be issued under the new sovereign’s name. But you will still be able to use your current passport for travel and identification (until it expires of course!).
Will there be a Queen’s Birthday holiday next year?
Yes – but it will, of course, be known from now on as the King’s Birthday. And if you’re wondering if the date will change, the answer is a firm no. The annual holiday marks the monarch’s “official” birthday, not the anniversary of their birth (the Queen’s actual birthday was in April).
Do we get a public holiday for the Queen’s funeral?
Very unlikely. While the funeral on September 19 will be marked by a ‘National Day of Mourning’ and a bank holiday in the UK, no such plan has been announced for New Zealand.
Where can I watch TV coverage?
Both Three and TVNZ 1’s regularly scheduled programming has been replaced by rolling news coverage. TVNZ says its replacement programming will continue for the remainder of the day and coverage will continue over the weekend, with a number of special documentary programmes on the Queen’s life and legacy set to run.
Satellite news and current affairs channels, including the BBC News channel, are also providing rolling coverage.
Will Queenstown become Kingstown? Queen Street become King Street?
No. King(s) and Queen(s) streets, avenues, lanes and roads are the most popular names for thoroughfares in New Zealand – there are 110 of them with the name “Queen” alone. Queen Street in Auckland and Queenstown are actually named for Queen Victoria, not Queen Elizabeth, and those names will endure.
However none of this prevents the movement to recognise tangata whenua and rename streets that bear the names of people who are a reminder of a colonial past.
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