Queen under medical supervision

[Mojo]

Makes me feel sick with worry.

 

[AlterEgo]

I'm expecting a 6pm announcement. I hope I'm wrong.

I expect the same, perhaps a little earlier.

Harry and Meghan travelling immediately to be at Balmoral, along with the black ties on the news, mean only one thing.

 

[TheEdge]

I suspect this might be it.

 

[GusB]

Huw Edwards now on the BBC with a Black Tie and researchers running around in the backroom make me wonder if the press know something now.

Today looks like it's going to be a sad day indeed

I understand the gravity of the situation, but surely a black tie at this point is just a little bit premature. It wouldn't take long to change it if the worst happened.

Unless, of course, the event has already happened and they're making sure that relatives are informed first.

 

[Bantamzen]

But at this point the House of Commons is still sitting. As I understand it, that would not be possible if there was notification, even if not officially released, of her passing (any business would stop, and no further business could proceed until MPs have re-sworn the oath).

Looking at the link I've posted above, the first call of action is for the PM to be formally notified via a secure line. Then once the PM & Senior Civil Servants are notified, the news is passed to the other Commonwealth country leaders, and Parliament will sit as soon is a practicable. And there will be an announcement at 6pm following the Queen's passing (see @Huntergreed's post on the TC schedule above). I may be wrong, but it really does seem that this is it.

 

[dosxuk]

Huw Edwards has been brought in, and dressed appropriately for making an announcement. There is a huge amount of activity going on in the background of the BBC's newsroom too.

None of this is normal, and all of that is expected from what we know of the plans. The entire nature of the main broadcasters is preparing viewers for an announcement, rather than (what we've had previously) she's a bit poorly but will almost certainly be ok. They're clearly waiting for an official word.

 

[Dai Corner]

I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear the King addressing the nation very soon.

 

[Scotrail12]

What will happen if she goes? Is everything shut for 10 days of mourning? I find the immediate aftermath quite worrying.

 

[TheEdge]

Unless, of course, the event has already happened and they're making sure that relatives are informed first.

I suspect this may be the case

 

[AlterEgo]

What will happen if she goes? Is everything shut for 10 days of mourning? I find the immediate aftermath quite worrying.

Things will continue mostly as normal, like Philip but with just a bit more emphasis. She is 96, and her passing will not be a surprise, and businesses will not be closed for ten days. Some may close tomorrow (if she dies today), and many will close on the day of the funeral, but there is no cause to be worried.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2022 ==

Unless, of course, the event has already happened and they're making sure that relatives are informed first.

I would expect this is the case.

 

[brad465]

I understand the gravity of the situation, but surely a black tie at this point is just a little bit premature. It wouldn't take long to change it if the worst happened.

Unless, of course, the event has already happened and they're making sure that relatives are informed first.

Presumably news readers also need time to adjust, given they like the rest of us will be affected emotionally.

 

[RichJF]

The fact BBC are photographing police putting up fencing at Balmoral & a few members of public congregating outside makes me feel this could be it.

 

[MotCO]

I would expect this is the case.

Wasn't that the case with Diana - she had died some time before it was officially announced?

 

[Bletchleyite]

This must be part of the prearranged process & message management. I think this could be "it".

It is quite possible that she has already passed away and the process involves "phasing in" the bad news slowly.

 

[GS250]

Wasn't that the case with Diana - she had died some time before it was officially announced?

Was a good 6-8 hours afterwards that it was confirmed. Initially the headline was that Dodi had died but Diana was badly injured.

 

[Huntergreed]

There's quite a process following the death.

The Queen's private secretary will initially inform civil servants, who contact the PM.

Governments around the commonwealth are informed, and the media are told to prepare for an announcement, changing to sad music, wearing black ties etc... (given this has already happened, I suspect she is already gone sadly).

We likely won't know until nearer dinner time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Wasn't that the case with Diana - she had died some time before it was officially announced?

Diana was a bit different in that her death happened late at night so we all found out when we woke up.

A big difference with Diana is that that was tragic, whereas this is just sad. 96 is a good life. I hope I live to 96 with faculties remaining as she has.

BBC Three Counties clearly hasn't been briefed yet, it's all very upbeat still. (I've stopped listening to Sheila Fogarty's afternoon show on LBC, she just winds me up because she does no fact checking whatsoever on whatever her callers are whining about this time). I suspect when it comes to an announcement the BBC local stations will all go to a centralised broadcast starting "This is the British Broadcasting Corporation from London", as they did for Diana.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2022 ==

There's quite a process following the death.

The Queen's private secretary will initially inform civil servants, who contact the PM.

Governments around the commonwealth are informed, and the media are told to prepare for an announcement, changing to sad music, wearing black ties etc... (given this has already happened, I suspect she is already gone sadly).

We likely won't know until nearer dinner time.

I think there's a fairly reasonable chance that the notes being passed around the Commons stated that she has already passed, but that it is strictly confidential following a process they no doubt were already briefed on. The mood certainly changed then.

 

[dosxuk]

Wasn't that the case with Diana - she had died some time before it was officially announced?

The notification of Diana's passing was a complete mess, primarily because of the location and suddenness of it happening, with the Palace never really getting control of the French press who were directly reporting what doctors were saying. The UK media generally like to follow the Palace's lead with this type of thing, and certainly don't want to take the comments of a random doctor so there was much confusion for a long time during that night about whether she had actually died or not.

That said, it's not Palace protocol to give continual updates. They will provide updates in their own time and on their own schedule. They make no promise to tell the world about these sort of things until the family is ready for it to be known.

 

[DelayRepay]

BBC Three Counties clearly hasn't been briefed yet, it's all very upbeat still. (I've stopped listening to Sheila Fogarty's afternoon show on LBC, she just winds me up because she does no fact checking whatsoever on whatever her callers are whining about this time). I suspect when it comes to an announcement the BBC local stations will all go to a centralised broadcast starting "This is the British Broadcasting Corporation from London", as they did for Diana.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2022 ==

When the Duke of Edinburgh passed, all the BBC stations cut to a special news broadcast from Radio 4. Even things like online cricket commentary switched over.

It made for a quite interesting fade to the National Antham on Radio 1 Xtra.

 

[MikeWM]

Looking at the link I've posted above, the first call of action is for the PM to be formally notified via a secure line. Then once the PM & Senior Civil Servants are notified, the news is passed to the other Commonwealth country leaders, and Parliament will sit as soon is a practicable. And there will be an announcement at 6pm following the Queen's passing (see @Huntergreed's post on the TC schedule above). I may be wrong, but it really does seem that this is it.

It's a minor spoke in the plans if Parliament is actually sitting and conducting business when the death happens (that's not been the case at any time in the 20th century, if ever). If so, it should be suspended immediately as it isn't sitting legitimately. However, that would rather 'give the game away' so maybe it will be left to continue, today's business isn't much of consequence in terms of votes etc.

 

[philjo]

I believe the protocol is for the Prime Minister to make an announcement in the House of Commons.

 

[MotCO]

The Telegraph is reporting that Harry and Meghan are making their way to Balmoral. That in itself speaks volumes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2022 ==

I believe the protocol is for the Prime Minister to make an announcement in the House of Commons.

Don't Buckingham Palace make the announcement, maybe simultaneously with the PM making an announcement in the House?

 

[Huntergreed]

The Telegraph is reporting that Harry and Meghan are making their way to Balmoral. That in itself speaks volumes.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2022 ==


Don't Buckingham Palace make the announcement, maybe simultaneously with the PM making an announcement in the House?

A dark-pinned notice will be placed outside Buckingham palace, and the P.M. will address the commons.

This is followed by the new Monarch making a televised speech at 6PM on the day of death (hence why it seems quite telling that the BBC have suspended broadcasting until 6PM).

If she hasn't already passed, I would be very surprised.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The BBC have suspended broadcasting? Wha? They don't appear to have done.

Edit: you mean why they won't announce it until 6?

 

[Huntergreed]

The BBC have suspended broadcasting? Wha? They don't appear to have done.

BBC One has anyway, extending a special news programme for coverage until 6PM, poor choice of words on my part!

Suspended regular broadcasting on BBC One

 

[kristiang85]

I'm on my way to the airport so just tuning in and out of news; this would be absolutely devastating. I was only reassuring my mum last night that she will live to 100 at least, based on the Queen Mother. But it looks very very bad.

I'm already getting quite tearful; I really hope this isn't it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

BBC One has anyway, extending a special news programme for coverage until 6PM, poor choice of words on my part!

Suspended regular broadcasting on BBC One

I think that more or less confirmed it. The music has "slowed down" on Three Counties but that could be a coincidence, it's like nobody has told them!

 

[Acey]

I'm no Royalist for sure but if a country has to have a Queen,I do not think anyone else could have done job so well ,if the worst happens she will be missed all around the world .

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm on my way to the airport so just tuning in and out of news; this would be absolutely devastating. I was only reassuring my mum last night that she will live to 100 at least, based on the Queen Mother. But it looks very very bad.

I'm already getting quite tearful; I really hope this isn't it.

To me it's an "end of an era" sadness, as I felt when my grandfather died aged 97 - "too soon" tragedy is so much worse. But obviously she has done a huge amount for the country, so it's an end of an era for the country too.

 

[SeanG]

I am no royalist at all, but it is sad to see as she has been the one constant for most people's lives. As ever thoughts must be with the family who have a poorly mother, grandmother etc.