Kathrine Frich
Nothing is being left to chance.
At 77 years old and still undergoing cancer treatment, King Charles III has already approved much of the plan for his own funeral, according to details reported by The Telegraph.
Operation “London Bridge”
Planning a monarch’s funeral is not unusual in Britain. Royal protocol requires that every detail be prepared long in advance for the day the sovereign dies and for the ceremonies that follow.
The overall plan, known by the code name “London Bridge,” has existed for decades and was used when Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022.
Charles III is said to have made only minor changes to the existing state funeral arrangements.
The ceremonies will largely resemble those held for his mother, but with adjustments reflecting his personal values, particularly his lifelong commitment to environmental causes.
The Telegraph reports that the king’s funeral will “include sustainable elements.”
Another significant change involves the mourning period. While the nation observed 18 days of mourning for Elizabeth II, Charles has requested a shorter one.
The royal and national mourning will coincide, lasting around 10 or 11 days from the announcement of his death until the funeral.
A private family vigil
Before the public ceremony, the monarch’s death will be managed privately. Depending on where Charles dies, protocols are already in place to bring family members together and transport his body discreetly back to Buckingham Palace.
A private family vigil will then take place, differing from his mother’s because of the age of his grandchildren.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are expected to have visible but protected roles during the mourning period.
In a notable gesture, Charles has reportedly decided to include the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the plans.
Despite strained relations, he wants Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to play a part in the ceremonies.
The Telegraph writes that the king “is determined that his youngest son take his rightful place at the heart of the family, perhaps aware that this may be a final chance to ease tensions.”
According to current plans, Harry would walk side by side with his brother William at the head of the funeral processions in central London.
Meghan would also take part in the family vigil at Westminster Hall and attend the main service at Westminster Abbey, alongside senior members of the royal family.
Their children, Archie and Lilibet, are expected to be present at both the service and the burial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Details still under discussion
Although the main structure of Charles III’s funeral is set, details continue to be reviewed in meetings involving senior royal household officials, police, military, and church representatives.
The participation of Harry and Meghan remains a sensitive topic in these discussions, given the family’s strained relationship and the logistical coordination required for their involvement.
For Charles, including the Sussexes is a way to avoid further family division.
Unless Harry and Meghan attend another royal event beforehand, the king’s funeral would mark their first major joint appearance with the royal family since Elizabeth II’s funeral and Charles’s coronation.
At that coronation, Harry left Britain immediately after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey to return to the United States, where his wife and children were waiting.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
