Queen Elizabeth II Funeral Procedure 'Operation Unicorn' Initiated... Queen to Rest on 19th

[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The funeral procedures for Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who passed away at the age of 96, began on the 9th (local time) under the name Operation Unicorn.

According to the British royal plan, the Queen's coffin will be moved from Scotland to London, and over ten days, funeral masses, condolences, and a grand state funeral will be held at designated locations before the Queen rests in eternal peace.

The Queen passed away the previous day at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The British royal family had already prepared a detailed contingency plan assuming the Queen's death, aimed at swiftly managing social unrest and preparing the funeral. The subsidiary plan, Operation Unicorn, was designed in case the death occurred outside London.

Although the date of death is usually set as the first day of the funeral schedule, since the news of the death was confirmed late on the 8th, the royal family decided to start the ten-day funeral schedule from the 9th, the following day.

On the first day of the funeral schedule, the Queen's coffin will remain at Balmoral Castle, where she spent her summer vacation and passed away.

On the second day, the 10th, Charles III, the Queen's eldest son and former crown prince, will be officially proclaimed monarch. On the 11th, the Queen's coffin will be transported by land from Balmoral Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where the Scottish Parliament is located.

On the 12th, a funeral procession leading the Queen's coffin will move from the Scottish Parliament to St. Giles' Cathedral. A funeral mass will be held at St. Giles' Cathedral with the royal family in attendance. This will also be the first official duty of Charles III as the monarch.

After the mass, the Queen's coffin will be open to the public for 24 hours at St. Giles' Cathedral.

After the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was announced, a crowd gathered in front of Buckingham Palace in London on the 9th (local time) to pay their respects. [London (UK) = Photo by Park Sunmi]

Late on the 12th, the Queen's coffin will leave Scotland and be transported to London, arriving at Buckingham Palace on the 13th.

On the 14th, the Queen's coffin will be placed in Westminster Hall at Buckingham Palace, followed by a short service, and then a four-day period during which the public can pay their respects.

From the 16th to the 18th, Charles III is expected to welcome foreign royal dignitaries and major global figures.

The grand state funeral at Westminster Abbey will take place on the 19th.

The Queen's coffin will be moved from Westminster Hall to the Abbey, and a two-minute nationwide moment of silence will be observed. After a one-hour ceremony, the coffin will be placed on a gun carriage pulled by ropes and transported to Hyde Park, followed by a massive funeral procession.

Afterwards, the Queen's coffin will be loaded onto a hearse and taken to Windsor Castle. A ceremony will be held at St. George's Chapel within Windsor Castle, where the coffin will be lowered into the royal vault, and the Queen will rest in eternal peace.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.