The top secret plans for the Queen's death, known as Operation London Bridge first started in the 1960s, has been updated since the pandemic began and now leaked via Whitehall
The top secret plans to be enacted when the Queen dies were revealed today including lowering all Government flags to half mast within ten minutes followed by a TV address by Prince Charles and a pre-planned memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral for ministers that will be made to look 'spontaneous'.
'Operation London Bridge' has been leaked after being updated during the coronavirus pandemic with the day she passes away being called 'D-Day'.
But there is no suggestion that Her Majesty, 95, is in poor health and there are major questions about how documents so sensitive could be made public.
In more embarrassment for the Government, Operation Spring Tide, the closely-guarded plan for Prince Charles' accession to the throne, was also included in the leak.
The first person outside Buckingham Palace to be told the sad news will be the Prime Minister, who will be telephoned by the Queen's Private Secretary, before a 'call cascade' to members of the cabinet, members of the privy council and senior figures including in the Armed Forces, who plan gun salutes across the country hours later, it has emerged.
They will all be given the same scripted message: 'We have just been informed of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Discretion is required'.
The royal household will then issue an 'official notification' delivering the sad news to the public via the TV and press including confirmation that Her Majesty's funeral will take place ten days later at Westminster Abbey before being buried in the family crypt next to her beloved Prince Philip at Windsor Castle.
Before that her body will lie in state for three days in the Palace of Westminster, which will be open 23-hours-a-day for members of the public to file through to pay their respects.
Cabinet Office documents leaked to POLITICO show that the Government is in a flap about ensuring that all flags are lowered to half-mast within ten minutes to avoid inflaming 'a wave of public anger'. One briefing suggests that contractors are being considered solely to do the job.
The Department for Transport has also warned that London will be 'full' for the first time in history, with trains and buses packed with people flooding into the capital to mourn the Queen and then line the streets for the funeral. Hotels and B&Bs will also be full.
The updated 'Operation London Bridge' also contains plans for social media and has been updated for the internet age.
The Royal Family's website will be replaced with an all-black page with a short statement confirming Her Majesty's death. All GOV.UK websites will have a black banner added.
Any tweets by Government department social media accounts and ministers will have to be signed off by spin doctors. And no public statements permitted until the Prime Minister speaks first, probably in a Downing Street address.
Here is a day-by-day breakdown of 'Operation London Bridge':
The coffin is carried into St George's Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip. The Queen will also have the same journey after a state funeral at Westminster, before being buried in Windsor
D-Day
Operation Spring Tide, the closely-guarded plan for Prince Charles' accession to the throne, was also included in the leak. Charles will address the nation on the day his mother dies, the plan says
The Prime Minister will be informed by phone call and message that the Queen is dead. It is not clear if the code: 'London Bridge has fallen' will be used by Buckingham Palace but this has been the rumour since the plan was first drawn up in the 1960s.
A 'call cascade' will begin, informing politicians and civil servant s in order of seniority, starting with the cabinet, the cabinet secretary and the Privy Council.
There is a script that should not be diverted from, with the individual being told: 'We have just been informed of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Dscretion is required'. The call will then be ended.
Only then will an 'official notification' delivering the news to the public -likely to be to the Press Association and the main UK broadcasters. It may also confirm plans for the queen's funeral, likely to be held 10 days following her death.
An email will also be sent to ministers and civil servants saying: 'Dear colleagues, It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the death of Her Majesty The Queen'.
Immediately all flags on Whitehall and across state buildings should be lowered to half mast. No 10 Downing Street has said it is concerned that they don't have a full time 'flag officer' - meaning there are certain hours of the day where the flag could be difficult to lower. A contractor could be used in those periods, documents say.
Parliament will be recalled the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will adjourn.
The Royal Family's official website will turn black with a short announcement confirming the Queen's death. Government websites will also be turned black with special, already designed banners.
Official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts will also turn black and all tweets paused other than those already agreed - but there will be silence until the Prime Minister at the time speaks publicly first.
The PM will speak in Downing Street on live TV to give the first tribute to Her Majesty.
He or she will then go to see the new King, Prince Charles, who will address the nation himself at 6pm to coincide with the main evening news bulletins.
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