Queen Elizabeth II has handed away on the age of 96, after a 70-year-long reign. Her son Charles, the Prince of Wales – who turns 74 in November – will succeed her on the British throne. He’ll now be referred to as King Charles III.
Camilla – the spouse of the brand new king since 2005 – has by no means used the title of Princess of Wales, as a substitute presenting herself because the Duchess of Cornwall or the Duchess of Rothesay (in Scotland), two different titles that correspond to her by marriage.
For a few years, there was hypothesis about Camilla’s future, till Elizabeth II settled the matter earlier this yr, on February fifth – her seventieth anniversary on the throne – by stating that she anticipated Camilla to undertake the title of Queen upon her passing. Nevertheless, a ballot printed on the time indicated that solely 14% of British residents agreed with this determination.
Preparations for the eventuality of the Queen’s loss of life had been stored secret, though the British authorities has spent many years making ready for the event. The loss of life of the queen mom in 2000 and the loss of life of the Duke of Edinburgh – the Queen’s husband – final yr served as costume rehearsals for the loss of life of Elizabeth II. These plans have been leaked every now and then – The Guardian printed some in 2017 – and are usually reviewed. Because the Queen died at Balmoral Fortress, in Scotland, the British press has speculated that it’s almost definitely that the Queen will likely be mourned because the Queen of Scotland and can lie in state on the Palace of Holyrood, in Edinburgh. A state funeral will subsequently be held at St. Giles’ Cathedral.
As soon as this portion of the mourning course of is full, it’s anticipated that the monarch will likely be transferred to London, the place different tributes shall be paid to her. She’s going to then be buried within the chapel of St. George in Windsor Fortress, the place her husband’s physique will even be transferred.
Instantly after the loss of life of a British monarch, an Ascension Council is convened as quickly as attainable (normally inside 24 hours) and meets at St James’s Palace in London, the British royal household’s conventional residence. The Ascension Council is chaired by the Lord President of the Council of State, who, on this case, is the newly-appointed Penny Mordaunt, the Chief of the Authorities within the Home of Commons. Sometimes, greater than 100 folks kind the physique of the Council, together with, amongst others, the Prime Minister, the Ministers of the Financial system, Overseas Affairs and the Inside, the Mayor of London and the excessive commissioners (ambassadors) of the 14 international locations whose monarch can be the King of England.
As soon as the loss of life of the monarch is licensed, the second a part of the Ascension Council is held, with the Privy Council being convened. The Privy Council is made up of 719 members, nearly all of whom are politicians (authorities and opposition, retired and lively), senior members of the Anglican Church and main jurists. On this session, the King swears to uphold the Protestant occupation of religion, as mandated by the Institution Act of 1701. The proclamation is then learn, first on the balcony of St James’s Palace, then on the Tower of London, in addition to in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the respective capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire. The proclamation can be learn aloud within the capitals of all Commonwealth international locations.
All of those procedures ought to happen throughout the UK’s 12-day nationwide mourning interval. Preparations will then start for the coronation of the brand new monarch, which might happen months after his ascension to the throne (Elizabeth II’s occurred 14 months later). On the coronation – which takes place in London’s Westminster Abbey – the brand new King will likely be anointed and topped, adopted by the normal balcony scene at Buckingham Palace. Likewise, designs for banknotes, cash and postage stamps with the picture of the brand new monarch will likely be launched.