Season 6 Episode 10 : Operation London Bridge was the funeral plan for Queen Elizabeth II. The plan included the announcement of her death, the period of official mourning, and the details of her state funeral.
The reality is, Operation London Bridge was first drafted in the late 60's, updated and reviewed every decade. The queen was involved with the planning of it from the beginning. You might be able to see the reluctance to have this meeting in 2002/2003 as she lost both her mother and sister that year, so speaking about her own death so soon after could have been hard.
That sense of loss in such a short time likely reminded Elizabeth of how her father died so suddenly when she thought she still had time for a normal life. The abdication of her uncle to her father was so fast that there wasn't any time to be a normal little girl anymore. The burden was so heavy, yet in the end, Elizabeth found a way to live & serve her nation as it's Queen.
Perhaps that was the moment she decided to live as long as possible. I understand that unknown to the public, the Queen had bone cancer, and much like others of her generation, she remained silent. I believe firmly that the Queen was a strong woman, and yet when you've shared your life with a man for over 70 years you can't imagine life without them, and I can only pray that she slipped away without pain and that she knew the Lord as her true King.
As a toy collector, it warms my heart to know that Buckingham Palace has its own supply of toy soldiers and diorama set pieces just lying around for business reasons.
I agree with you @theevilascotcompany9255. Like you, I am also a collector of diecast toy soldiers. From the video-clip, I believe that model soldiers are from the W Britain's Ceremonial Collection. From my own reading of royal biographies (as well as depictions of several movies, television shows, and documentaries), the Royal Family are collectors of miniature toy soldiers since the days of Queen Victoria's children. I understand that the late Prince William of Gloucester (the current Duke's older brother) had a collection of toy soldiers and a diorama depicting the Battle of Waterloo. In fact, across the street from Buckingham Palace, along Birdcage Walk, there is a toy soldier shop outside of Wellington Barracks and next to the Guards Museum. I bought several items from there during my last trip to London in 2018.
When Harry Truman received a briefing on his funeral (O Plan Missouri) circa 1970 or so, he said "it looks like quite the party. I am sorry I will have to miss it."
I'm pleased that she chose to spend her last remaining days here in Scotland. I think that means alot to most of us Scots, that Scotland was her favourite place, somewhere she could rest.
This ‘being German’ crapola needs to stop. George inherited the throne because he was a direct ancestor of English kings. The royal family since then has been born in Britain. All Anglo Saxons have Germanic origins ffs. Royal families across Europe have all intermingled down the centuries. The royal family is British. Queen Elizabeth being British through and through .
Given what we saw in September 2022 the vast planning becomes explainable. Churchill planned his own funeral with great enthusiasm so did the Duke of Wellington. I am sure the Queen saw it as a great national occasion which indeed it was. On a personal note my grandfather served as a pallbearer at the funeral of King Edward VII. He was a long serving member of the Grenadier Guards who tradionally take that role.
I don't know if the queen saw it as a great national occasion, but she had a massive role in the planning. The glass hearse that carried her coffin was designed by the queen herself.
The funerals for my paternal grandparents were both planned before they passed. You don't have to be a head of state to see the practicality of your family having the details laid out ahead of time. It all probably feels more overwhelming when you're actually bereaved and if you don't know what your loved one would have wanted.
As far as I remember the Duke of Wellington did not plan his funeral, at least not in the way it was. If I am not mistake he didn't actually want a State Funeral and wanted to be burried at Walmer Castle, but he didn't have much fo a choice in the matter.
It's quite haunting that we actually saw this play out last year. Last year was definitely the Season 7 we did not get on TV but saw play out in real life.
1:00 Imelda's acting is brilliant The way she says "it's so sad" while her husband finds the situation fun talking about their funerals. She's also trying to hold back how haunting it is to look at her own funeral service.
I don't think Phillip finds talking about her funeral fun. They hadn't started talking about her funeral yet; he found talking about his funeral invigorating. I guess feeling that he had control over it and thinking about mortality you can either chose to go into it sad or start appreciating the time you're here.
I take Philips approach to it too, I want to have control of my funeral. Arrangements will be made according to my wishes, and I get to enjoy the time I have here too
@Stefernie2 and for all the arguments for or against a monarchy still today, I think that symbolically is a benefit of a figurehead, she wearing a mask in social distance at her husband's funeral, meanwhile those working for government had parties at 10 Downing Street the night before, against the rules. There's something about a continuity above the different good and awful governments which set better examples. Her address to the nation had more of an impact to many than the daily PM/ministers tv broadcasts
i was a soldier providing medical assistance during the coronation of the king, i met the officer in charge of her funeral, he was also in charge of the coronation, an incredible man whose planning was seen by millions. the planning for both situations was astonishing
I understand that they're doing the funeral stuff for the finale, but the Queen's funeral had been planned since the 1960's, with the plans updated every year apparently. Realistically, the Queen had known about how her funeral would go for nearly 30 years at this point.
Some artistic license is acceptable for a show like this. From a viewer POV it's understandable IMHO that scenes like this weren't shown in Season 2 or 3, when other stuff from the 1960s was shown.
Oh my goodness. I havent even seen the episode yet and Im not a monarchist, but this scene is powerful and spine tingling, given what we all saw in late 2022! Well done.
As soon as she speaks you no longer see Imelda but you see Elisabeth II. quite an accomplisment for the actress who played Vera Drake, an ordinairy housewive involved in abortions and who played Dolores Umbridge.
This is one beautiful scene. As for the Queen, may she rest in peace. Memento mori… as important for being alive as it is for dying. Preparation for THE journey of all journeys is very important irrespective of your circumstances.
My mother gave me written instructions for her final curtain. It was a blessing everything was taken out of my hands. I could tell busy bodies this was what she wanted.
The Queen Mother (102) would get up from time to time at 4am to watch the rehearsals for HER funeral, she said she quite enjoyed it. ( she lived at Clarence House of course just minutes from Buckingham palace)
I started thinking about mine at 6 years old. The same with my mother. When she passed away, when I was 50, I was done taking care of the funeral in 35 minutes. Mine is planned. It's no big job. Casket, vault, my mother knew what stone she wanted. That was done 40 years ago. We visited her parents, and saw her's and my names on stones next.
The Queen wouldn't have been surprised that the Duke's funeral had been planned, nor would she have been squeamish about the planning of her own. Both were just another part of Royal duty.
I'm sure many kings and queens of the past went through this, even future kings and queens will go through this as well, after all it is important to plan this
If I were a Royal my funeral plans would be as follows 1. My body is to be cryogenically preserved. 2. Every tax paying adult is to be given $100.00 to with what they wish. 3. My Body is to be loaded on to a rocket ship then launched into space with the hopes that if alien life exists they might have the technology to bring me back to life so I can return and resume my rein.
The Crown reference the "Operation X Bridge" plans in previous seasons - that one existed for the Queen, Prince Philip, [then] Prince Charles, etc., all named after relevant bridges. Note that such plans exist for current and former US presidents and first ladies - I recall George H.W. and Barbara Bush referencing theirs in an interview years ago.
@@MewDenise Other people should keep a copy on file - their house of worship will hold it for you, if desired. A couple we knew died in a house fire - the entire house was gone - and no one else had the funeral plan.
She fought against Adolf in WW2, and saw many deaths, more than any of us. Lost everybody she had ever loved. Do you think this ceremony scared her? I don't think so.
You know what amazes me, in a series that has an abundance of "stiff upper lip" type senior civil servant/government minister types, it took them 6 years to cast jonathon Hyde, a man that, I swear to God, was born wearing carpet slippers and smoking a pipe.
In a way it's good they planned it to the last detail...What would happen when that time came.. I watched it on TV...There seemed to be no chance of a mishap..Everyone knew what to do.
That is very sad 😢❤ Queen elizabeth she is very sad for her husband and her parents Queen elizabeth 1926-2022 EIIR THE QUEEN DIED EIIR LONG LIVE THE KING CIIIR
Why would they name the operation after a tourist destination in Arizona that spans the largest man-made muddy puddle in the US? Other than her being a "fair lady," ofc.
What did she do to deserve a procession like that? Nothing!!! 6,000 military personnel?!! She cut ribbons and drank cocktails in the evening. Absolute waste of space.
You are a waste of space and air.Even the maggots deserve better.Anything to just destroy our gracious lady of happy memories, the net contributor of the British economy.Most people outside Britain couldn't name three British brands or celebrity, but they could name three members of the Royal family.
And yet the economy gained about £250 million because people came to England, stayed in hotels, bought food and souvenirs, on which VAT was payable, travelled on buses and trains. Just like the coronation when the economy made closer to half a billion pounds. The economy made a profit. I'm sorry you didn't personally but we can't have everything.
@@dawncarolus7579and they involve massive security plans to say nothing of the involvement of thousands of military personnel amd a few hundred thousand people descending upon the processional route who have to be appropriately managed. None of that gets organised with a days notice
While they may have similarities they are different. No one is the same and with 10,000 people taking part you do want to plan and even rehearse it a few times.
"London Bridge is Down." The words nobody ever thought to hear. Honestly, I thought the woman would live forever and it still doesn't seem real even a year on from her death.
Every head of state eventually reaches a point where they have to discuss what they want done when they die. Here in the US all of the former presidents, except one, have detailed plans in place for their funeral. Many ordinary people have the conversation at some point. I have a letter with my will outlining my wishes. It can save a lot of guess work for people likely already under emotional strain.
Exactly I lost my dad 2 yrs ago and a death wave followed. A few months later, I decided to start writing my will and I've put together a personal property memorandum so in the event I die unexpectedly, whoever is in charge of my estate has a guide on what to do with my things and doesn't have to make guesses on things.
@jec1ny Is it true that drawing up their funeral plans happens in the first weeks of office because when a prior President was assassinated nobody knew what to do
every senior member of the royal family is expected to plan their own funeral and the queen foremost. state funerals for rulers look alike the previous one but you are in control of the music and who is invited out of the usual etc. and who will be not invited. also means William and Kate will have some plans in the drawer already, if all of a sudden something happens to them. :(
