Charles is reportedly “still very ill,” according to royal experts, despite indications that he “is improving.” The palace is making arrangements for a dignified funeral for the monarch.
Known as Operation Menai Bridge, the plans regarding the king’s potential passing are in full swing, as “death remains a possibility” for the 75-year-old royal who is currently fighting cancer.
Discover the importance of the king’s funeral preparations as you read on!
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne in 1952, preparations for Operation London Bridge commenced. This plan, designed for the events surrounding her passing, included specifics about announcing her death, the mourning period, her state funeral, and the transition of King Charles III to the throne.
The former Prince of Wales, who ascended to the throne after more than 70 years, became the oldest person in British history after the queen pas:sed away in 2022.
And he wasn’t able to enjoy his new role for very long.
In January 2024, less than one year after his May 2023 coronation, Charles underwent a “corrective procedure” to treat benign pro$tate enlargement.
In February, only one month after his procedure, the palace announced that ca:ncer – not pro$tate – was discovered.
“I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes…As all those who have been affected by canc:er will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement,” Charles writes in a statement shared February 10, 2024, on the royal family’s social media accounts.
“It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support c:a:ncer patients and their families across the UK and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”
As the monarch underwent treatment for an undiscovered kind of ca:nc:er, his eldest son Prince William assumed more royal duties and provided emotional support to his wife Kate, who revealed her own illness diagnosis in March 2024.
According to a source, William has taken on a more prominent role and is now involved in various decision-making processes alongside Charles. The king has returned to his public duties, though reports suggest he is facing significant challenges. “He’s making public appearances, but for shorter periods,” the unnamed source reveals. He often travels by helicopter, needing to rest after engagements.
As “unpleasant as it may be,” the insider notes that Charles’ declining health has made funeral preparations increasingly urgent. The Daily Beast reports that friends are struggling to remain optimistic as the atmosphere at the palace becomes more somber.
A close friend stated, “Of course, he is determined to fight this, and they are doing everything possible.” “He is genuinely quite ill, but everyone is holding onto hope—perhaps more than they care to admit.”
Similar to the 10-day plan established for the queen’s passing, the king has his own plan, referred to as Operation Menai Bridge, which, according to the Daily Beast, is “regularly updated.”
Every royal family member has a codeword they can use in the event of their passing, with arrangements designed to ensure a smooth transition of power.
The name Operation Menai Bridge refers to Charles’s previous title as the Prince of Wales and symbolizes the bridge linking Anglesey to the Welsh mainland.
The Independent reports that these code names were created to prevent Buckingham Palace switchboard operators from discovering and leaking news about royal deaths before an official announcement was made.