Over decades, senior palace officials had perfected London Bridge, the funeral plan, Operation Unicorn, should he die in Scotland, and Operation Spring Tide, the King’s plan. The queen was, those who knew her agree, a “perfectionist”. The Queen Mother’s funeral 20 years ago had, in some ways, provided a rehearsal of the ceremony – albeit on a grander scale. And on this occasion there would be a parallel narrative. This was not only the funeral of a queen, but also the installation of a new king, plans that were again underway. However, feeding the media’s insatiable appetite for fresh content over 11 days is a tall order. In this, the palace has proven to be an expert. Any gap would be unwelcome, creating room for mischievous reporting. Thus, day after day, new information and new photo opportunities were offered. He ensured that the momentum was maintained until the ritual performance of the funeral and ceremony. “It was a great moment that history has been waiting for. Everything was controlled. And they took full advantage of every moment. They just kept surprising people,” said Mark Borkowski, top PR. “They set the news agenda throughout the mourning period. They set the narrative. And they offered moments to the media.” There were set phases and precedent. The very painful princely vigil, when members of the royal family stand guard during the repose, was first held around the coffin of George V in 1936. The Queen Mother was the first consort to be given this honour, the 2002. Because Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral, three vigils were held: as her coffin lay in repose at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh; lying in state within Westminster Hall. and finally back to Westminster Hall, this time with her eight grandchildren. Each time, the picture was guaranteed to be on the front pages of the newspapers. The Queen’s grandchildren keep vigil around the coffin – video The Princess Royal’s emotional six-hour journey – one she later described as “an honor and a privilege” and “humbling and uplifting” – following the hearse as it drove through the scenic highlands from Balmoral to Edinburgh was another delicately woven strand in the narrative. The rich images of the ceremonial procession in Scotland and the layover in Edinburgh were a bonus for the media and a welcome advertisement for Scottish tourism. Princess Anne looks at the Queen’s coffin as it is carried on a plane on its way to London – video Tributes from the royal family were released in strict order of priority and seniority, and never on the same day. First the King, at his King’s address, then the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, with the Duke of York at the end, 10 days after his mother’s death. The arrival of the casket in procession at Westminster Hall and, five days later, the grand state funeral ceremonies at Westminster Abbey and the ceremony at St George’s Chapel were largely based on previous royal funerals. Last-minute additions to the plans included including NHS workers at the funeral, to reflect the suffering the country has endured through the Covid pandemic. So much detailed thought had gone into the King’s program. The televising of the accession council for the first time, the colorful proclamations read across the nation, his visits to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Hillsborough cemented his membership. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our site and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. ‘God save the King’: King Charles III officially declared Britain’s new monarch – video “They were creating a narrative and a personality, and subtly, establishing what the new administration looked like, it was very different from the queen’s in many ways,” Borkowski said. “It felt like spontaneity. They thought: how can we face the character of Charles? We take him out there, walking into the crowds when he first arrives at Buckingham Palace. All these sensitive things that the Queen would definitely not have done in a million years. So, in fact, it very subtly shows that there is a point of difference.” It did not escape the fact that the funeral took place in the context of a family dispute. The question of when and where Prince Andrew and Prince Harry would be allowed to wear uniform was one. A surprise visit to Windsor by William and Kate and Harry and Meghan generated acres of coverage and sought to address speculation about the siblings’ strained relationship. William, Kate, Harry and Meghan surprise Windsor – video But such was the avalanche of other information, the palace was careful not to take the focus away from the Queen herself. “There was nothing modern about the way they did it. It was a tried and trusted and well oiled method of using the media. And the media was very grateful for that. Those things don’t last, though,” Borkowski said. “You can never sit back. A few years ago, they would have had little time to think and collect themselves. But we have moved on. “ With plans for Charles III’s coronation, reportedly a much less grand and expensive affair than his mother’s, now in full swing, the palace has no time to relax and congratulate itself on a huge undertaking , which was executed to perfection.
