Steph Deschamps / September 8, 2022
The famous and meticulous Operation London Bridge anticipating for years the death of the Queen and the days that will follow is well known. But it will have to be adapted after the death of the monarch on Thursday in Scotland, far from the British capital.
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at the age of 96 at her summer residence in Balmoral, Scotland. It is therefore another procedure, Operation Unicorn, which will be followed in the coming days.
The unicorn is a symbol of Scotland and appears on the Scottish coat of arms, along with the English lion.
Even before the announcement of the death and while the royal doctors had expressed their concerns on Thursday about the health of the monarch, some aspects of the London Bridge operation had already been activated: the BBC presenters had for example all dressed in their black suits and ties.
According to the Scottish media, the term Operation Unicorn to organize a royal death in Scotland was first used in Parliament in 2017 to anticipate the crowds from around the world expected to flock to the British nation.
According to the Scottish daily The National, the Scottish Parliament will be immediately suspended following the announcement of Elizabeth II's death.
Admirers, journalists and world leaders are expected to travel to Scotland.
If the Queen dies in Scotland, her body will be laid to rest at the Palace of Holyroodhouse (the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh), with her coffin then taken to the cathedral in the center of the Scottish capital, says The National.
The public will be able to sign a book of condolences in front of Parliament, according to the newspaper.
His body will then be transported to London on a royal train, but it is not yet known how many days he will remain in Scotland.
The funeral is expected to take place about ten days after his death.