What is ‘Operation Menai Bridge’? The protocol in place for the death of King Charles III
Since he ascended to the throne the British Royal Household has been working on a protocol outlining funeral and succession plans.
In February the British Royal Household announced that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer. Without specifying the exact nature, Buckingham Palace reported that the condition had been discovered “during recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.”
This news sparked grave concern about the king’s health, barely a year after he had ascended to the throne. Buckingham Palace made clear that the cancer was unrelated to the treatment that he was undergoing but, at 75 years old, Charles III was forced to step back from public duties.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II a process entitled ‘Operation London Bridge’ went into effect. The operation had been planned since 1960, just a few years after she had been crowned Queen. The protocol outlined the process that would follow her death, with plans for the funeral processions in the event of the death of King Charles III already being designed.
What does ‘Operation Menai Bridge’ mean for William, Kate Middleton?
“Unfortunately, from tomorrow morning the planning for ‘Operation Menai Bridge’ will begin, which will be about the funeral of the now King Charles III,” said Simon Morgan, former royal protection officer, back in 2022, just days after the Queen’s death.
The name ‘Menai’ comes from a bridge located in Wales, which crosses the Menai Strait to connect the island of Anglesey with the mainland. The first step in this protocol would be the ascension of his eldest son, William, Prince of Wales.
Within hours the next-in-line would be officially named King of the Commonwealth. As it stands several details are still unknown, such as the royal name that William could choose, and the title of his wife Kate Middleton. It is though that she could become Queen Consort Catherine, leaving behind the abbreviation of her name.
Next in the line of succession, their son George will take first place when it comes to ascending to the Crown. If, at the time when George becomes King, he already has descendants, they would be the ones to follow the line of succession, instead of his sister Charlotte. When William assumes the British throne his daughter Charlotte will be the new Princess of Wales. If King Charles dies before his wife, Camilla, she will be known as the Dowager Queen.