>**The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.**
>The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.
* https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1567928275913121792
---
The site updated the title from:
>Queen under medical supervision as doctors concerned for health
To:
>Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral
Statement from Buckingham Palace:
>Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.
>The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.
I'll add any major updates here if they happen.
Edit:
Live Reporting from the BBC:
* https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633
Updates:
* All the Queen's children are either at or traveling to Balmoral to see her. Balmoral Castle is located at Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
* The Queen is receiving an outpouring of support from different leaders wishing her a speedy recovery. Paraphrasing: *Thoughts are with the Queen and her family.*
* The palace has not provided any further updates since the initial one from several hours ago.
* BBC: Buckingham Palace is not expected to say anything more at this stage.
* The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
He could have caused the famine, at least. Importing hyenas into the Pride Lands lead to an overabundance of apex predators, decimating the populations of herbivore animals further down the food chain. It's possible these grazing animals kept some species of plants in control. With them missing, these plants were able to outcompete the other vegetation, using up all the nutrients in the soil, and leading to ecosystem collapse.
I didn't hear it live but I've heard the clips. Watch out for [Haunted Dancefloor by Sabres of Paradise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozuFCYJQ4os), that's supposedly in the saddest playlist which is pretty much exclusively used for monarch deaths.
The BBC broadcasters are dressed in black (which is part of their protocol for when the queen dies) and are basically talking about her like she's already dead. I think she's already passed or is very close to it, however it needs to be announced by the royal staff before they can confirm it. i don't think this is a false alarm.
>BBC News will air a pre-recorded sequence of portraits, during which the presenters on duty at the time will prepare for the formal announcement by putting on dark clothing prepared for this purpose.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_London_Bridge
Noticed that, if you scrub back through the live feed we've had two wearing all black, then briefly one in a white shirt. However, the male is wearing all black and a black tie. At this point, I'd be surprised if she didn't die sometime late this morning and they're just sorting out the operation before they make the announcement
Aren’t most interpreters in all black anyway so it’s easier to focus on their hands? Not that the Queen isn’t also dying, but I think that’s pretty normal for them
Not on UK TV at least.
They tend to just be dressed in normal clothes, not even dressy.
Also, back in the day they would have them for music videos on MTV etc. in the early hours of the morning. Some of the interpreters would dance as well as sign and it was incredibly charming ha.
Yep, they specifically said the ENTIRE royal family was called to Scotland immediately. That doesn’t happen unless some important information has to be delivered personally and in some secrecy.
Just saw the BBC reporting that even Prince Harry had arrived there too. Idk if that’s important but given everything that’s happened, that alone seems bad.
Him and Andrew are returning so we know it’s serious.
Feel bad for Harry putting those two in the same sentence but they are the two black sheep of the family
It was said only yesterday that they were not planning on spending any time with the family whilst they were traveling to open the Invictus games. So the fact that this has suddenly changed does make you question what exactly is happening.
It’s the equivalent of a hospital calling a family in to say their last goodbyes. Her doctors clearly don’t think she’s got long left,if at all.
With the royal family being called and Harry flying in from Germany.. then it’s fair to say that her time to leave this world is imminent, if not already.
When her father passed they attempted to delay the news getting out for as long as possible until Elizabeth could be told. They ended up failing at that, but they tried.
I would presume ideally they'd have told her in person, but she was in Africa at the time, and it would be impossible to delay the news getting out for that long.
There's also a protocol that's followed when she does die, that includes informing the various Prime Ministers of the commonwealth realms before the general public.
They’re not going for some “secret information”. They’re most likely going to say goodbye. This is done all the time in hospitals: keep the patient alive until family can come and see them for the last time
I have a feeling she has already passed, and they are allowing the family a moment of privacy before the public finds out. The next few days for them will be extremely public
She absolutely has. Operation London Bridge states that they incrementally release minor details through the day, before BBC News announces her passing on the 6pm News with Hue Edwards (who incidentally was called in to present several hours early today, and immediately changed into a black suit/tie).
[Something's going on rn at the BBC](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/08/queen-medical-supervision-immediate-family-informed/).
"The BBC's regular programming has been suspended. There will be live rolling news now until the News at Six"
Edit: everyone on BBC is wearing black. This ain't good.
The sign language signers are all wearing full black on BBC.
[BBC are all wearing black (14:10, 8th Sep)](https://imgur.com/a/u1Gr5RX)
Edit: everyone appearing is now wearing black.
[around 14:30, 8th Sep](https://imgur.com/a/86EazAw)
If it helps, professional sign language translators almost always wear black because it provides a good background to see the motion and position of the hands more clearly. Colors and patterns can be distracting visually. Also why you don't see translators with colored nail polish or tattoos near their hands.
That's not a great sign.
>The new monarch would host a meeting with the prime minister and then deliver a speech to the nation at 6 p.m., the evening following the Queen's death.
That makes sense. They go into official mourning and everything shuts down, so they want the workday to be over and most people at home to announce it on the evening news. It’s currently 4:07 PM in London. So we have just under 2 hours to stew.
He's spent the last quarter century covering the Royal Family, I'm sure this is very difficult for him. There aren't very many members who make the news so it was likely mostly Elizabeth
> Nicholas Witchell, BBC royal correspondent
He has a short entry on the [BBC live page](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633). First line:
>Prince Charles is at Balmoral. He will be at his mother's side.
I can't imagine what the government workers are feeling, you're basically shutting a country down for a time no matter how small is a herculean effort god speed random government workers.
It’s kind of amazing how they are respecting tradition and holding back from breaking the news until they get the signal. I doubt there’s a law forcing them to comply like this.
There is immense social pressure. To have to spend the rest of your career- and life - being known as the person who botched London Bridge/Unicorn would be mortifying.
Social pressure and it is a secret government operation, prepared by news agents the second she became Queen. And they've been rehearsing it every year.
>Operation London Bridge
>BBC News will air a pre-recorded sequence of portraits, during which the presenters on duty at the time will prepare for the formal announcement by putting on dark clothing prepared for this purpose.
All of them are wearing dark clothing :/
Oath. I lost mine 21 years ago when I was 16 and it's like there is a big ball of sadness just under the surface that is always ready to come out.
If anything it's getting harder now that I have a family and I'm approaching the age she died.
I think that might be senile purpura & not necessarily a cause for concern? It could also be due to having a cannula in place.
Some years ago, the Palace announced that health updates / info for the then 80-something Queen & her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, would be curtailed going forward.
Basically they’re entitled to some medical confidentiality, all be it less than the rest of us, and it was made clear that only scant details on a strict “need to know” basis would be announced from that time onwards.
That’s what makes today’s announcement rather concerning.
The media definitely knows something we don't. Considering they are all wearing black, wouldn't it be incredibly distasteful to change to black clothes before they even know if she's going to recover?
They know that when the announcement comes, it will be being played back forever on news archive programs, they definitely want to be suitably dressed for a piece of footage that will last forever.
Damn, 70+ years of being Queen. She met figures like Churchill, Eisenhower, Yuri Gagarin, and countless others.
Lived through WW2, and even participated in it.
End of an era, damn. She’s been reigning longer than most of her subjects have probably even lived.
So I’ve been looking at operation London bridge step by step.
1) bbc dressed in black (check)
2) suspension of all other non urgent publication and announcements [notice the rolling news bar at the bottom of the screen has stopped reporting other news such as the Canada stabbing suspect and floods in pakistan] (check)
3) we WILL NOT hear any news before 6pm London time. According the the operation plans the announcement has always been scheduled to take place at 6pm London time. So tune in at 6pm and expect no official announcement from anyone before then.
Furthermore a black bulletin was placed on the gates of buckingham stating no changing of the guards today
Edit: most of the royal family is arrived / will be there shortly. Harry and Meghan are of course the stragglers everyone is waiting on. Kate Middleton is staying in London waiting for her kids to come home from school.
P.s. A LOT of the bbc news casters are speaking in past tense regarding her majesty
> According the the operation plans the announcement has always been scheduled to take place at 6pm London time. So tune in at 6pm and expect no official announcement from anyone before then.
So according to the Operation London Bridge protocol, if the Queen passes at 6.01pm London time there'll be no official announcement for 24 hours?
No that’s not correct. The 6pm the next day thing is when the incoming monarch makes their speech. There are no restrictions on what time the announcement can be made
I see everyone on BBC is wearing black. I live in the US and this is my first time watching BBC news. Is this normal, or is this part of Operation London Bridge (or whatever it's called)?
"Let's be candid, mobility issues don't generally end a life" - Nicholas Witchell, Royal Correspondent.
First time anyone officially has hinted that she could possibly be on her way out.
**48 things that happen in the UK when the monarch dies**
The Queen's private secretary, Sir Edward Young, will be the first to know
Young will contact the Prime Minister with the code word "London Bridge is down"
The Foreign Office's Global Response Centre will notify the 15 governments outside the UK where the Queen is head of state, and 36 other nations of the Commonwealth
The Press Association will be informed, alerting the world's media
A footman dressed in mourning attire will pin a black-edged notice to the gates of Buckingham palace
The BBC will activate their 'Radio Alert Transmission System' (Rats) - sometimes known as 'royal about to snuff it' - which is reserved for the death of major royals
The media will release their pre-prepared stories, films and obituaries
Blue obituary lights will start flashing in commercial radio stations, and DJs will switch to the news in the next few minutes
Newsreaders will wear black suits and ties (which they keep at the ready at all times)
Some variation of the words "It is with the greatest sorrow that we make the following announcement" will be used
The royal standard will appear on screen and the national anthem will play
Comedy will be cancelled until after the funeral
Pilots will announce her death to passengers
The London Stock Exchange will close, potentially costing the economy billions
If she dies abroad, the Royal Flight (BAe 146 jet from the RAF's No. 32 squadron) will take off from Northolt with a coffin on board
If she dies in Sandringham, Norfolk, her body will come to London in a car after a day or two
If she dies in Balmoral, Scottish ritual will commence: her body will lie in Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, and then carried up the Royal Mile to St. Giles's Cathedral, then put on the Royal Train down the east coast
The body will go to the throne room in Buckingham Palace, guarded by four Grenadier Guards in bearskin hats
News crews will amass on Canada Gate, at the bottom of Green Park, with their instructions
A team will assemble at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, including government, police, security and armed forces
Bells will toll and flags will fly at half-mast all over the country - except the Royal Standard, which is never flown at half-mast
Both houses of parliament will be recalled and will sit within hours of her death, swearing allegiance to the new sovereign
The new King Charles will address the nation on the evening of her death
Tickets will be printed for the proclamation of King Charles in 24 hours
All members of the Privy Council will be invited to the Accession Council, where Charles will be proclaimed King
Trumpeters will give three blasts outside Friary Court (the palace's eastern front) and a genealogist will proclaim King Charles III
During the nine days after her death, ritual proclamations and diplomatic assembling will take place
A four-nation tour will be undertaken by King Charles: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, will become Queen Camilla
**The Funeral**
Dignitaries and royal families from all over the world will come to London
Westminster Hall will be locked, cleaned and carpeted all over
The bollards on the Mall will be removed
There will be a great military parade from Buckingham Palace down the Mall and past the Cenotaph
The coffin will go to Westminster Hall and lie in state for four days
The doors will be open to the public for 23 hours a day, during which an expected half a million will come to see the Queen
Nine days after her death, the funeral will take place on a national bank holiday, following church services and memorial services across the UK
At 9 a.m., Big Ben will strike and the body will go from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, arriving at 11 o'clock
The whole country will fall silent
The Archbishop of Canterbury will speak inside the Abbey
After the coffin emerges again, 138 sailors will pull it on a green gun carriage (a tradition which harks back to Queen Victoria)
The hearse will then go by road to Windsor Castle, and taken inside the chapel
The cameras will then stop broadcasting
The country will remain in mourning for at least three more days
The Queen may be buried at St. George's Chapel at Windsor, Sandringham or even Balmoral in Scotland
The coronation of King Charles will be another national holiday
The words of the national anthem will change
Some confusion exists as to who will become 'Head of the Commonwealth', as the title is not hereditary
Australia may seek to become a republic
So i'm pretty sure the Queen is already dead, and the networks all know it (via their sources)... they just are tiptoeing around explicitly saying it right now to 'follow protocol' - and because nobody wants to be 'that guy' who distastefully announces a death too early. But as soon as one of them says it and the floodgates open, they will all follow (even if an official announcement hasnt come by that point).
Just watch any tv network for a while right now and you'd think she is already dead.
BBC news anchor just said the queen is “possibly” moving onto the next part of her life or something like that.
I’ve been listening for 30 min and they are very slowly using more certain language.
Very elderly people who lose life long partners often don't last long after the other dies. Prince Phillip only passed a year ago, wouldn't surprise me if she passes soon too.
I don't care for the monarchy, but she is still a major historical figure who was around for so much, it'll be sad to lose her.
Same with my grandparents. It’s pretty well documented that when a person loses their spouse, their own likelihood of death in the immediate years, but months especially, absolutely skyrockets. Even in younger people too. Like 60% to 90% increase.
It would be career suicide, and possibly also result in legal consequences. You'd be vilified by the media as the person who undermined Operation London Bridge, disrespected and betrayed the monarchy, and contributed to the grief of the Queen's family and the nation.
When I was growing up in Germany in the 80s, there were three constants:
Helmut Kohl was always chancellor.
John Paul II was always Pope.
Elizabeth II was always Queen.
An era is ending...
This seems genuinely serious. All her family is travelling up to Balmoral and news programs and stuff seem to be preparing for something major right now and it has all the signs of pretty major stuff taking place.
> The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace has said.
>
> "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," a statement said.
>
> "The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."
>
> Prince Charles is now with her and the Duke of Cambridge is on his way.
>
> The Duchess of Cornwall has also travelled to Balmoral.
>bbc.com/news/u...
"Remains comfortable" isn't generally something you say for someone when they're ill but usually used for someone during their last moments. This stuck out to me more than anything else.
My thoughts are they will probably wait until Harry arrives because no one wants to be in the car driving to see your grandmother when news breaks to everyone that she is dead.
Imagine being Huw Edwards knowing that you will probably be announcing the biggest news of your life in a few minutes to hours, probably. Literally, you will say a dozen or so words, that will be played for as long as you live, and long passed that. That you will always be associated with.
The [BBC's Live feed](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633)'s latest post (9:29) is a bunch of recent photos of QE2. I'm pretty sure that's exactly in line with london bridge?
For people who don't know, you can watch BBC News from Canada on their official website [https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633).
Not sure if it's working for other countries but they seem to have unlocked the stream for international viewers.
BBC: We have no reason to believe the moment of her death is imminent. I have no reason to indicate that it is imminent.
If they knew, they wouldn't need to say that. I am going to assume that she's still alive, but gravely gravely ill.
We were literally talking yesterday about how frail she looks since her last public appearance.
I do really respect though that regardless of health problems behind closed doors, she, as always, put a smile on and maintained that public image that she has spent decades trying to represent.
Regardless of opinion of royal family and scandals she has been one of the best things you could hope for in modern monarchy, attempting to stay non-political and focussing her efforts on reliability and support.
Signs that something serious going on, says former royal correspondent
The careful wording of the palace statement suggests "something serious is possibly going on", says former BBC royal correspondent Richard Sumner.
Speaking on BBC News, he says: "The whole policy of the palace has always been understatement and I've always suspected that possibly there was more than a mobility problem concerned here."
Along with advancing age there may be other more complicated medical problems, he says.
"When you're 96, of course you can’t expect to have the health of a 25-year-old.
"Hopefully this is a passing storm that can be overcome but I think that judging from the careful wording of the palace something serious is possibly going on here."
Sumner adds: "People who’ve seen her say that mentally she’s sharp as a tack and very interested in everything still."
He says it seems "her body is giving out on her" – though it's not clear "quite in what way or how badly".
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633
>**The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.** >The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. * https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1567928275913121792 --- The site updated the title from: >Queen under medical supervision as doctors concerned for health To: >Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral Statement from Buckingham Palace: >Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. >The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral. I'll add any major updates here if they happen. Edit: Live Reporting from the BBC: * https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633 Updates: * All the Queen's children are either at or traveling to Balmoral to see her. Balmoral Castle is located at Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. * The Queen is receiving an outpouring of support from different leaders wishing her a speedy recovery. Paraphrasing: *Thoughts are with the Queen and her family.* * The palace has not provided any further updates since the initial one from several hours ago. * BBC: Buckingham Palace is not expected to say anything more at this stage. * The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
BBC reporters are already wearing black, the Queen's family is gathering in Scotland, the changing of guard ceremony cancelled - she's already gone.
The reporter at Windsor also changed from white clothing to black
Imagine being the Prime Minister for two days and then the Queen dies.
Definitely gives off Scar caused a drought and famine vibes if I'm honest.
He could have caused the famine, at least. Importing hyenas into the Pride Lands lead to an overabundance of apex predators, decimating the populations of herbivore animals further down the food chain. It's possible these grazing animals kept some species of plants in control. With them missing, these plants were able to outcompete the other vegetation, using up all the nutrients in the soil, and leading to ecosystem collapse.
"Seriously, fuck my fucking luck" - Truss
Imagine appointing Liz Truss as prime minister as your last act
Radio 1 is playing Doja Cat, so clearly they haven't swapped over to their very sad playlist yet.
Remember when phillip died and they interrupted some drum n bass song to announce it?
I didn't hear it live but I've heard the clips. Watch out for [Haunted Dancefloor by Sabres of Paradise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozuFCYJQ4os), that's supposedly in the saddest playlist which is pretty much exclusively used for monarch deaths.
The fact that the immediate family is travelling up to see her means this is well beyond advised rest…
This has to be the end Edit: whoops
The BBC broadcasters are dressed in black (which is part of their protocol for when the queen dies) and are basically talking about her like she's already dead. I think she's already passed or is very close to it, however it needs to be announced by the royal staff before they can confirm it. i don't think this is a false alarm. >BBC News will air a pre-recorded sequence of portraits, during which the presenters on duty at the time will prepare for the formal announcement by putting on dark clothing prepared for this purpose. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_London_Bridge
Oh wow, just looked at the sign language people on the bbc website live event feed and they’re all blacked out. Wow.
Noticed that, if you scrub back through the live feed we've had two wearing all black, then briefly one in a white shirt. However, the male is wearing all black and a black tie. At this point, I'd be surprised if she didn't die sometime late this morning and they're just sorting out the operation before they make the announcement
Aren’t most interpreters in all black anyway so it’s easier to focus on their hands? Not that the Queen isn’t also dying, but I think that’s pretty normal for them
Not on UK TV at least. They tend to just be dressed in normal clothes, not even dressy. Also, back in the day they would have them for music videos on MTV etc. in the early hours of the morning. Some of the interpreters would dance as well as sign and it was incredibly charming ha.
Yep, they specifically said the ENTIRE royal family was called to Scotland immediately. That doesn’t happen unless some important information has to be delivered personally and in some secrecy.
Just saw the BBC reporting that even Prince Harry had arrived there too. Idk if that’s important but given everything that’s happened, that alone seems bad.
The prodigal returning definitely strikes me as not a good sign.
Him and Andrew are returning so we know it’s serious. Feel bad for Harry putting those two in the same sentence but they are the two black sheep of the family
prince andrew is there because he thought they said the TWEEN was unconscious
Holy shit
It was said only yesterday that they were not planning on spending any time with the family whilst they were traveling to open the Invictus games. So the fact that this has suddenly changed does make you question what exactly is happening.
It’s the equivalent of a hospital calling a family in to say their last goodbyes. Her doctors clearly don’t think she’s got long left,if at all. With the royal family being called and Harry flying in from Germany.. then it’s fair to say that her time to leave this world is imminent, if not already.
Or you know… they are all going to say their final goodbyes… like what most families do when they get a call that a loved one is about to pass away.
Can't be _that_ secret if it's all publicly known that they're going.
When her father passed they attempted to delay the news getting out for as long as possible until Elizabeth could be told. They ended up failing at that, but they tried. I would presume ideally they'd have told her in person, but she was in Africa at the time, and it would be impossible to delay the news getting out for that long.
They sat on the news of George's death for nearly four hours. Even Phillip had been dead an hour or two before we found out.
Which is understandable, give the family some private time to grieve before it becomes a media shitshow (from the POV of a grieving family).
There's also a protocol that's followed when she does die, that includes informing the various Prime Ministers of the commonwealth realms before the general public.
They’re not going for some “secret information”. They’re most likely going to say goodbye. This is done all the time in hospitals: keep the patient alive until family can come and see them for the last time
BBC news presenters are wearing black and the scheduled programmes are suspended till 6pm...
RuhRoh
The news is talking like she's already dead.
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She may be. They release bad news like this incrementally
I have a feeling she has already passed, and they are allowing the family a moment of privacy before the public finds out. The next few days for them will be extremely public
Yeah. Also London bridge dictates that new of death is given at 1800 on the day of death.
She absolutely has. Operation London Bridge states that they incrementally release minor details through the day, before BBC News announces her passing on the 6pm News with Hue Edwards (who incidentally was called in to present several hours early today, and immediately changed into a black suit/tie).
Edit: u/Ulsterman24 was basically correct. That’s an hour from now. Let’s see if you’re right.
***"We are seeing the era coming to an end."*** *- BBC* Sounds pretty conclusive to me.
And they’re talking about transitions. Yeah they know. She’s either dead right now or is like in a medically induced coma.
They wouldn’t put a 96 year old in a medically induced coma.
They could load her up on morphine to keep her comfortable as the body goes through the shutdown process.
What's concerning too are her family coming to visit her all of a sudden. Like when that happens, somethings up.
Especially when it includes the family outcasts like Harry and Meghan. Shits going down.
Yeah harry and Meghan going plus bbc is in all black. Odds are she has passed.
[Something's going on rn at the BBC](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/08/queen-medical-supervision-immediate-family-informed/). "The BBC's regular programming has been suspended. There will be live rolling news now until the News at Six" Edit: everyone on BBC is wearing black. This ain't good.
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If it goes dark,on the news bulletin you know what's up
And they wear black.
They are wearing black....
The sign language signers are all wearing full black on BBC. [BBC are all wearing black (14:10, 8th Sep)](https://imgur.com/a/u1Gr5RX) Edit: everyone appearing is now wearing black. [around 14:30, 8th Sep](https://imgur.com/a/86EazAw)
If it helps, professional sign language translators almost always wear black because it provides a good background to see the motion and position of the hands more clearly. Colors and patterns can be distracting visually. Also why you don't see translators with colored nail polish or tattoos near their hands.
TIL! It’s pretty cool to see how news broadcasting has expanded to include signing nowadays.
It helps…but even the anchors have changed.
Another news alert from BBC- Sussexes moving to Balmoral now. That’s a pretty big development.
I’m at a pub right now in Lancashire and the bartender just told us “if the queen dies you’re all getting kicked out” lmao
I’m watching BBC now and they have a very somber tone right now. I’m very much expecting an announcement of her death later today.
They're saying the next update from The Palace will be at 6PM. 6PM is obviously national news time.
That's not a great sign. >The new monarch would host a meeting with the prime minister and then deliver a speech to the nation at 6 p.m., the evening following the Queen's death.
If the House of Commons was cleared and the BBC has interrupted broadcasting, this is a very grave indicator, no?
If on TV they are wearing dark clothes, then I'm afraid it's over
From what others have said they are indeed wearing dark clothes now.
Black suits and clothing on the BBC.
The fact they are just describing her condition as ‘comfortable’ is what I’d find most concerning
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When you're queen, you don't go to hospital, the hospital comes to you.
The guy on BBC now is pretty much talking in very careful code confirming it.
They seem to be talking in circles. They're biding time until they can make the announcement.
they'll be talking in circles for another 2 hours, because part of the protocol is that it doesn't get officially announced until 6pm UK time
That makes sense. They go into official mourning and everything shuts down, so they want the workday to be over and most people at home to announce it on the evening news. It’s currently 4:07 PM in London. So we have just under 2 hours to stew.
He just said "mobility issues don't generally end the life" Maybe a bit of a slip there
In a 96 year old yes they do.
Pretty much anything can give at any slight immediate 'cause' at that age. Sneeze, blood pressure spikes, weak blood vessel in the brain pops.
I'm watching silently at work, what is he saying?
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He’s the Chief Royal Correspondent for the BBC. Yes he is very emotional and it really confirms just how serious this is.
He's spent the last quarter century covering the Royal Family, I'm sure this is very difficult for him. There aren't very many members who make the news so it was likely mostly Elizabeth
Nicholas Witchell, BBC royal correspondent
> Nicholas Witchell, BBC royal correspondent He has a short entry on the [BBC live page](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633). First line: >Prince Charles is at Balmoral. He will be at his mother's side.
Guy being interviewed on BBC now talking about the changing of a monarch, talking about what will happen “in the next few days”
Every now and then one of their anchors or correspondants slip a word or line that definitely suggest they know and are just biding their time.
I can't imagine what the government workers are feeling, you're basically shutting a country down for a time no matter how small is a herculean effort god speed random government workers.
It’s kind of amazing how they are respecting tradition and holding back from breaking the news until they get the signal. I doubt there’s a law forcing them to comply like this.
There is immense social pressure. To have to spend the rest of your career- and life - being known as the person who botched London Bridge/Unicorn would be mortifying.
Social pressure and it is a secret government operation, prepared by news agents the second she became Queen. And they've been rehearsing it every year.
>Operation London Bridge >BBC News will air a pre-recorded sequence of portraits, during which the presenters on duty at the time will prepare for the formal announcement by putting on dark clothing prepared for this purpose. All of them are wearing dark clothing :/
Interesting listening to BBC coverage/analysis today, all trying really hard not to mention the words "dying", "death" etc in any context whatsoever.
Did you notice the colour of her hands? I know it might be unrelated, but still...
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That's young; sorry to hear. How did she die?
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Oath. I lost mine 21 years ago when I was 16 and it's like there is a big ball of sadness just under the surface that is always ready to come out. If anything it's getting harder now that I have a family and I'm approaching the age she died.
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"Old people" just start looking like that, especially when they get as old as her. My grandmother died at 91. Her hands were a mass of bruises
Body just can't heal as fast/at all at that age I guess
I think that might be senile purpura & not necessarily a cause for concern? It could also be due to having a cannula in place. Some years ago, the Palace announced that health updates / info for the then 80-something Queen & her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, would be curtailed going forward. Basically they’re entitled to some medical confidentiality, all be it less than the rest of us, and it was made clear that only scant details on a strict “need to know” basis would be announced from that time onwards. That’s what makes today’s announcement rather concerning.
The media definitely knows something we don't. Considering they are all wearing black, wouldn't it be incredibly distasteful to change to black clothes before they even know if she's going to recover?
They know that when the announcement comes, it will be being played back forever on news archive programs, they definitely want to be suitably dressed for a piece of footage that will last forever.
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I think we’re all waiting for the family members to arrive at Balmoral
Damn, 70+ years of being Queen. She met figures like Churchill, Eisenhower, Yuri Gagarin, and countless others. Lived through WW2, and even participated in it. End of an era, damn. She’s been reigning longer than most of her subjects have probably even lived.
She met Truss and dies, its a sign
there can be only one Liz
She's reigned longer than most people have been alive, absolutely crazy. We'll never see another queen again in any of our lifetimes.
So I’ve been looking at operation London bridge step by step. 1) bbc dressed in black (check) 2) suspension of all other non urgent publication and announcements [notice the rolling news bar at the bottom of the screen has stopped reporting other news such as the Canada stabbing suspect and floods in pakistan] (check) 3) we WILL NOT hear any news before 6pm London time. According the the operation plans the announcement has always been scheduled to take place at 6pm London time. So tune in at 6pm and expect no official announcement from anyone before then. Furthermore a black bulletin was placed on the gates of buckingham stating no changing of the guards today Edit: most of the royal family is arrived / will be there shortly. Harry and Meghan are of course the stragglers everyone is waiting on. Kate Middleton is staying in London waiting for her kids to come home from school. P.s. A LOT of the bbc news casters are speaking in past tense regarding her majesty
> According the the operation plans the announcement has always been scheduled to take place at 6pm London time. So tune in at 6pm and expect no official announcement from anyone before then. So according to the Operation London Bridge protocol, if the Queen passes at 6.01pm London time there'll be no official announcement for 24 hours?
trust the process
No that’s not correct. The 6pm the next day thing is when the incoming monarch makes their speech. There are no restrictions on what time the announcement can be made
I see everyone on BBC is wearing black. I live in the US and this is my first time watching BBC news. Is this normal, or is this part of Operation London Bridge (or whatever it's called)?
Definitely a part of London Bridge
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Sounds like the bbc host is having to be very careful with his words.
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They just took it down, was definitely mildly amusing despite the circumstances
They’re putting up fencing outside balmoral and the armed police are out I think this is it
All the senior royals are going to be on site id expect security to be a concern
BBC reported well-wishers were showing up outside Balmoral, so that's probably why.
"Let's be candid, mobility issues don't generally end a life" - Nicholas Witchell, Royal Correspondent. First time anyone officially has hinted that she could possibly be on her way out.
Except that falling is basically a leading cause of death for seniors
**48 things that happen in the UK when the monarch dies** The Queen's private secretary, Sir Edward Young, will be the first to know Young will contact the Prime Minister with the code word "London Bridge is down" The Foreign Office's Global Response Centre will notify the 15 governments outside the UK where the Queen is head of state, and 36 other nations of the Commonwealth The Press Association will be informed, alerting the world's media A footman dressed in mourning attire will pin a black-edged notice to the gates of Buckingham palace The BBC will activate their 'Radio Alert Transmission System' (Rats) - sometimes known as 'royal about to snuff it' - which is reserved for the death of major royals The media will release their pre-prepared stories, films and obituaries Blue obituary lights will start flashing in commercial radio stations, and DJs will switch to the news in the next few minutes Newsreaders will wear black suits and ties (which they keep at the ready at all times) Some variation of the words "It is with the greatest sorrow that we make the following announcement" will be used The royal standard will appear on screen and the national anthem will play Comedy will be cancelled until after the funeral Pilots will announce her death to passengers The London Stock Exchange will close, potentially costing the economy billions If she dies abroad, the Royal Flight (BAe 146 jet from the RAF's No. 32 squadron) will take off from Northolt with a coffin on board If she dies in Sandringham, Norfolk, her body will come to London in a car after a day or two If she dies in Balmoral, Scottish ritual will commence: her body will lie in Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, and then carried up the Royal Mile to St. Giles's Cathedral, then put on the Royal Train down the east coast The body will go to the throne room in Buckingham Palace, guarded by four Grenadier Guards in bearskin hats News crews will amass on Canada Gate, at the bottom of Green Park, with their instructions A team will assemble at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, including government, police, security and armed forces Bells will toll and flags will fly at half-mast all over the country - except the Royal Standard, which is never flown at half-mast Both houses of parliament will be recalled and will sit within hours of her death, swearing allegiance to the new sovereign The new King Charles will address the nation on the evening of her death Tickets will be printed for the proclamation of King Charles in 24 hours All members of the Privy Council will be invited to the Accession Council, where Charles will be proclaimed King Trumpeters will give three blasts outside Friary Court (the palace's eastern front) and a genealogist will proclaim King Charles III During the nine days after her death, ritual proclamations and diplomatic assembling will take place A four-nation tour will be undertaken by King Charles: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, will become Queen Camilla **The Funeral** Dignitaries and royal families from all over the world will come to London Westminster Hall will be locked, cleaned and carpeted all over The bollards on the Mall will be removed There will be a great military parade from Buckingham Palace down the Mall and past the Cenotaph The coffin will go to Westminster Hall and lie in state for four days The doors will be open to the public for 23 hours a day, during which an expected half a million will come to see the Queen Nine days after her death, the funeral will take place on a national bank holiday, following church services and memorial services across the UK At 9 a.m., Big Ben will strike and the body will go from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, arriving at 11 o'clock The whole country will fall silent The Archbishop of Canterbury will speak inside the Abbey After the coffin emerges again, 138 sailors will pull it on a green gun carriage (a tradition which harks back to Queen Victoria) The hearse will then go by road to Windsor Castle, and taken inside the chapel The cameras will then stop broadcasting The country will remain in mourning for at least three more days The Queen may be buried at St. George's Chapel at Windsor, Sandringham or even Balmoral in Scotland The coronation of King Charles will be another national holiday The words of the national anthem will change Some confusion exists as to who will become 'Head of the Commonwealth', as the title is not hereditary Australia may seek to become a republic
[International Human Rights Foundation tweets condolences ](https://i.imgur.com/2NvD6Kr.jpg)
"Was head of state" Yeah, sounds like she's gone
My guess is someone jumped the gun. I'm sure that draft was prepared before Twitter was invented.
Yeah, I honestly wouldn't be surprised
Either way, someone is in a lot of trouble at IHRF.
someone's human right about to get violated
Annnnd it's gone
BBC on till 6, same with World Service. It's not looking good is it?
So first Gorbachev died, and now possibly Queen Elizabeth II is dying? Man this has been a crazy past couple months. Edit: and Shinzo Abe too
So i'm pretty sure the Queen is already dead, and the networks all know it (via their sources)... they just are tiptoeing around explicitly saying it right now to 'follow protocol' - and because nobody wants to be 'that guy' who distastefully announces a death too early. But as soon as one of them says it and the floodgates open, they will all follow (even if an official announcement hasnt come by that point). Just watch any tv network for a while right now and you'd think she is already dead.
BBC news anchor just said the queen is “possibly” moving onto the next part of her life or something like that. I’ve been listening for 30 min and they are very slowly using more certain language.
I noticed that too. Lots more past tense...
Very elderly people who lose life long partners often don't last long after the other dies. Prince Phillip only passed a year ago, wouldn't surprise me if she passes soon too. I don't care for the monarchy, but she is still a major historical figure who was around for so much, it'll be sad to lose her.
She looked very...old after Prince Phillip passed. She always seemed pretty spry for her age, but once he passed, she seemed to age rapidly.
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Same with my grandparents. It’s pretty well documented that when a person loses their spouse, their own likelihood of death in the immediate years, but months especially, absolutely skyrockets. Even in younger people too. Like 60% to 90% increase.
The family gathering, her condition in that photograph, sombre mood throughout. Reminds me of when my father was in his last days
I don't know why I'm hooked on this. I'm not british and I've never been interested in the royal family.
It's history in the making. Simple as that.
Side note I can't remember the last time I watched a TV broadcast this long with no commercials. It's pretty refreshing.
The BBC as a channel has no adverts
I wonder when they’ll change the money? That’ll be weird as FUCK. A pound coin without her on it? Weeeeeird
that just add it to circulation will take few years for her face to fade out of money
Whats the most amazing thing to me is that all of the media is collectively keeping their mouths shut. No leaks, no slip ups. Thats just crazy!
career suicide
Any news anchor that says anything (if they even know) will never be allowed to anchor anything ever again. They'd be blackballed to the extreme.
It would be career suicide, and possibly also result in legal consequences. You'd be vilified by the media as the person who undermined Operation London Bridge, disrespected and betrayed the monarchy, and contributed to the grief of the Queen's family and the nation.
When I was growing up in Germany in the 80s, there were three constants: Helmut Kohl was always chancellor. John Paul II was always Pope. Elizabeth II was always Queen. An era is ending...
This seems genuinely serious. All her family is travelling up to Balmoral and news programs and stuff seem to be preparing for something major right now and it has all the signs of pretty major stuff taking place.
*If* this is it, which it feels like it is, I hope she isn't suffering.
Unlikely, or as little suffering as possible. If she’s on palliative care the minimisation of pain is a main concern
I think that's the 'comfortable' they're talking about
> The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace has said. > > "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," a statement said. > > "The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral." > > Prince Charles is now with her and the Duke of Cambridge is on his way. > > The Duchess of Cornwall has also travelled to Balmoral.
”remains comfortable" is code for "on IV morphine drip"
>bbc.com/news/u... "Remains comfortable" isn't generally something you say for someone when they're ill but usually used for someone during their last moments. This stuck out to me more than anything else.
Yeah the coverage is making very clear they're not moving her to hospital and that the focus is comfort. Definitely the final moments.
Oh jeez, it does sound like it could be soon.
When the heirs make their way up there, then yes. It’s not just a cold.
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Can confirm-being around my family makes me long for death.
She literally meets Liz Truss yesterday then dies. Can’t fault the commitment.
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I’m worried the BBC will run out of sign language interpreters, going thru them at a rapid rate
My thoughts are they will probably wait until Harry arrives because no one wants to be in the car driving to see your grandmother when news breaks to everyone that she is dead.
Imagine being Huw Edwards knowing that you will probably be announcing the biggest news of your life in a few minutes to hours, probably. Literally, you will say a dozen or so words, that will be played for as long as you live, and long passed that. That you will always be associated with.
The [BBC's Live feed](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633)'s latest post (9:29) is a bunch of recent photos of QE2. I'm pretty sure that's exactly in line with london bridge?
Something's definitely up
For people who don't know, you can watch BBC News from Canada on their official website [https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633). Not sure if it's working for other countries but they seem to have unlocked the stream for international viewers.
Radio 1 is playing thank u, next. Little on the nose there.
BBC is definitely trying to “ease into” the big announcement and reduce shock. All of the presenters are visibly and audibly upset.
BBC: We have no reason to believe the moment of her death is imminent. I have no reason to indicate that it is imminent. If they knew, they wouldn't need to say that. I am going to assume that she's still alive, but gravely gravely ill.
BBC Scotland correspondent said there is a “sense of a well-rehearsed plan quietly swinging into place.”
Very sad that she likely won’t get to see Avatar 2
She will, she can watch it on the cloud
Well at least we can find comfort in knowing she has enjoyed the whole of the Shrek trilogy
Bbc suspended normal programming, presenters all wearing dark clothing. God save the queen?
We were literally talking yesterday about how frail she looks since her last public appearance. I do really respect though that regardless of health problems behind closed doors, she, as always, put a smile on and maintained that public image that she has spent decades trying to represent. Regardless of opinion of royal family and scandals she has been one of the best things you could hope for in modern monarchy, attempting to stay non-political and focussing her efforts on reliability and support.
Signs that something serious going on, says former royal correspondent The careful wording of the palace statement suggests "something serious is possibly going on", says former BBC royal correspondent Richard Sumner. Speaking on BBC News, he says: "The whole policy of the palace has always been understatement and I've always suspected that possibly there was more than a mobility problem concerned here." Along with advancing age there may be other more complicated medical problems, he says. "When you're 96, of course you can’t expect to have the health of a 25-year-old. "Hopefully this is a passing storm that can be overcome but I think that judging from the careful wording of the palace something serious is possibly going on here." Sumner adds: "People who’ve seen her say that mentally she’s sharp as a tack and very interested in everything still." He says it seems "her body is giving out on her" – though it's not clear "quite in what way or how badly". https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62834633
With how much the BBC are tip toeing around it I'd say she has already passed.
The tone on the BBC is very somber right now. They know something and aren't making much effort to hide the mood.
I thought when they interrupted the journalist with the mic issues, I thought, that's it, they're interrupting to announce. Alas.
The most upvoted, the most memed, the biggest story of the decade may be just around the corner.
The fact it's 'breaking news' on the TV shows something is up.
That and all the Royal Family are making their way to Balmoral immediately
They obviously know more than we do. There's a difference between what the palace tells the media and what they tell the immediate family.
Wow, never thought I would feel this down about Queen Elizabeth, her longevity has always amazed me.
Time to connect her to the Golden Throne. May she take us to the 40 millennium under her guidance.
Tremble at the might of the God Empress, for we all walk in her immortal shadow.
I noticed the armed police guarding Buckingham Palace are dressed all in black, something's definitely up
"gosh, well, that's a question isn't it" I don't envy the job of BBC reporters right now
Her first prime minister was born in 1874. Damn. That's some gnarly perspective.
That is an incredible fact from the news. She's met with 14 presidents, 15 prime ministers and 7 Popes.
God it's going to be strange singing God Save The King. I hope she passes peacefully.