King Charles III, diagnosed with cancer, has planned his own funeral under the name Operation Menai Bridge (Getty Images)
British royalty is known for their meticulous planning, and King Charles III is no exception. At 75 years old, and facing a cancer diagnosis, the monarch has already defined every detail of the protocol that will be followed after his death, which he has called Operation Menai Bridge. This name pays tribute to the Menai Bridge, an emblematic construction in Wales, a land with which Charles maintains a deep connection, after having been Prince of Wales for more than six decades.
The choice of a Welsh name marks a difference from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who chose “Operation London Bridge” for her own funeral, in reference to the iconic London bridge.
Amid his fight against cancer, which was diagnosed in early 2024 after prostate surgery, the king has continued with his responsibilities, including international travel. Despite temporarily pausing his treatment to fulfill his commitments, the illness adds an inevitable shadow over the eventual activation of Operation Menai Bridge.
The funeral planned by King Charles III will be more discreet and intimate than that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II (REUTERS)
Following the tradition established with the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the BBC will have the exclusive right to officially announce the death of Charles III. However, this will only happen once the royal family, the acting prime minister and several key ministers have been informed. This rigorous sequence ensures that the news is communicated in a controlled manner, with the aim of avoiding premature leaks and guaranteeing stability at a time of change.
The protocol establishes a period of ten days of national mourning between the announcement of the death and the funeral. During this time, the king’s body will be displayed first in Edinburgh and then transferred to London, following a process similar to that of Queen Elizabeth II, whose funeral in 2022 attracted more than 300,000 people who came to pay tribute to her. A sizeable crowd is also expected to gather to farewell the monarch, reflecting the impact of his life and legacy.
The BBC will have the exclusivity of announcing the death of Charles III, following a protocol similar to that used in the death of Queen Elizabeth II (REUTERS)
Despite the expectations surrounding a royal funeral, King Charles III has opted for a more low-key ceremony than his mother’s. While Elizabeth II’s funeral was attended by around two thousand guests, Charles has requested a more intimate event, reflecting his sober and economical approach, characteristics that have defined his reign. The king has also personally chosen the route of his coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, and has selected the hymns and music to be performed during the ceremony.
One of the most anticipated moments after Charles’ death will be the immediate proclamation of his successor, Prince William. Upon becoming king, the current Prince of Wales could choose to be called William V, or choose one of his other names (such as Arthur, Philip or Louis). Whatever his decision, the new monarch will give a speech in which he will pay tribute to both his father and his grandmother, and will give clues about the style of his own reign.
Prince William could become King William V after Charles’ death, beginning his own reign (Getty Images)
The death of King Charles III will mark a turning point in the history of the British monarchy. As happened with the death of Elizabeth II, the proclamation of the new sovereign will be accompanied by an emotional public response and carefully orchestrated national mourning. Operation Menai Bridge not only guarantees a smooth transition process, but also seeks to ensure the continuity and stability of the institution in a delicate period for the nation and the Commonwealth.
