Has any thought been given as to what to do if her majesty were to pass away either shortly before or during the games?
I’ve not seen anything made public - but I wouldn’t expect to. On the other hand the plans for the death of the monarch are always kept up to date.
I guess you are asking whether it would impact on the Games and, as a Brit, my answer would be no. Flags would fly at half mast and London would have to cope with a royal funeral as well as umpteen thousand athletes, journalists, and spectators but there is too much invested in the Olympics - too many commitments made - for them to be postponed.
One would expect the funeral to be held after the Olympics. Black arm bands etc and half mast flags etc during. I dont think theres any set wait before burial with royals.
And a royal funeral would involve many VIP attendees, so that would be quite a mess on top of the Olympics. But even if they can postpone the funeral, I think they’d have to hold the coronation immediately, and that too involves many VIP attendees.
They wouldn’t have to hold the coronation immediately at all. It’s not like the UK will cease to function if there isn’t a reigning crowned monarch. If Liz kicked off in the middle of the games, there would armbands and observances, but the Games would continue. Then, after everybody had gone home, they would stage a funeral and coronation, probably in the same week.
There was a gap of over a year between Elizabeth’s accession and her coronation. I think they like to leave a decent interval so that the mourning period for the deceased monarch is safely over.
You’ve got the Munich precedent. The death would be acknowledged but the games would continue.
Elizabeth’s coronation was a major extravaganza, which as mentioned above, took place about a year after her father’s death. So no danger of a coronation derailing any other plans.
Full state funeral? Probably not until after the Olympics, just to avoid the overlapping events, ensure hotels etc. are empty, prevent clashing venues and traffic problems, etc.
Just like the people who keep obituaries up to date for newspapers, I’m sure someone in the palace has an up-to-date list for the funeral plans; who to invite, what venues will be used, other necessary outlines, appropriate church services, burial plans, rough seating plans even, etc. (And they’ve had the queen mother to use for practice of some of the minor details)
And, if noted documentary The Queen is to believed, the Queen Mum’s funeral plans were swiftly dusted off for Diana’s funeral.
Don’t forget the Paralympics begin in London on August 29th. While not as large, still could cause some scheduling headaches.
It’s not like the good old days when you could bump off a monarch to suit the convenience of the morning press.
No. Charles would accede to the Throne immediately, and, if he’s any sense, abdicate in favour of William.
Why? William probably is in no more hurry than Charles (probably less) to have his kick at the royal can… I suspect they’ll all take their turn. All the hubub about Chuck and Di and Camilla seems to have (and rightly so) died down.
Then we can watch for the next 40 years while Charles starts to dodder and Will and Kate go through their mid-life crises.
Accede, yes. Coronation - not for a few months or more.
I’m sure you’re right but I think it would be better for the nation.
Legally there is no need for a coronation for the new monarch to exercise his/her powers. Edward VIII, for instance, was never crowned.
I think it would further devalue the monarchy if Charles were to abdicate. While it might be normal practice in the Netherlands for older monarchs to ‘resign’ in favour of their heir, it is only in exceptional circumstances that I can see a British monarch doing so.
(Okay, not really British, but also not English as he/she is monarch of 16 Commonwealth realms as well as UK of GB & NI.)
Nitpick. No personal insult intended. Flags are flown at half staff except on ships where it is half mast.
Don’t they also hold an annual dress rehearsal for the funeral of any royal over 80?
If they do, they must be doing it behind closed doors. Would be rather tacky to see that tramping around London once a year!
Why would they want to rehearse it anyway? All these shindigs while appearing to be “age old” are in fact made up quite recently, and their forms are changed at every ceremony to suit tastes or expense.