The United Kingdom (and many around the world) have spent the last two years celebrating the birth of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, two exceedingly lucky children who are set to cost the country untold millions over the course of their lifetimes.

Of course there is another eventuality they need to ready themselves for. It has been sixty-two long years since the current incumbent of the throne Queen Elizabeth was crowned at the famed Westminster Abbey and, whilst her health remains good, she cannot go on forever. So what would happen were she to retire to the great palace in the sky?

The process is called ‘The Bridge’, broken down here by the Daily Beast:

 When the Queen dies, it is expected that Charles will be formally crowned within three months. For one thing, everybody knows this is coming, almost certainly at some point in the next decade, so there is a sense of readiness in the palace…

But there is a political motivation to get the coronation done and dusted as quickly as possible. Charles still remains a deeply controversial King for many in the United Kingdom, given his admitted adultery and choice of a divorcee for his intended Queen, so there is a desire to minimize the vacuum period, for fear it will be filled by Republican voices.

Dissent and undermining of power, now we’re talking. It appears that whilst many have a deep-rooted affection for Elizabeth they are less likely to be in favour of Charles. And how would the public be told of Elizabeth’s demise?

If the Queen dies in the night, her death would not be announced until 8 a.m. Currently, there are no plans to disseminate the news via social media; instead, the announcement will be made via the BBC.

Every senior BBC presenter has to have a dark suit and black tie on standby in which to announce the death of a senior member of the Royal Family.

The whole process must run so smoothly that rehearsals are held every six months, with the BBC then cancelling EVERY comedy show between her death and the funeral around 12 days later.

There are also firm plans in place regarding the care of the Queen’s corgis, rearranged living quarters for the remaining royals and a broadcaster, Huw Edwards, picked out to deliver the bad news.

The long and the short of it Brits? In death, as in life, your Queen will still cost you a bloody fortune.

[source:dailybeast]