What is Project London Bridge?

Project London Bridge is the codename of the plan for what will happen in the days following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth the II.

In the light of the sad news surrounding the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II have collated some likely* protocol for the events industry below

*Please note, there is no official guidance.

Update: National Mourning Guidance

The government has released National Mourning Guidance, which we wanted to draw to your attention. The guidance sets out information on aspects of the National Mourning period such as floral tributes and social media advice. It outlines that it is at the discretion of businesses whether to consider closing or postponing events - especially on the day of the State Funeral - depending on their nature and tone

How will this affect your business?

• DAY OF DEATH
  It’s thought that the Government will not order employers to give employees the day off, leaving this as a matter between employers and their staff.

• DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING
  The prime minister and the queen have agreed that the day of the state funeral will be a “Day of National Mourning.”

  The day will effectively be a bank holiday, although it will not be named as such.

• CORONATION OF PRINCE CHARLES
  The coronation has been declared as a UK bank holiday by the UK government, and therefore UK-based employees are given the day off.

• CANCELLED EVENTS
  Military shows will be cancelled.

• NON-CANCELLED EVENT

All other shows will continue with the organisers discretion, however it is recommended that they undertake a national one minutes silence on the day of death, and a national 2 minute silence on the day of the funeral.

Security

• STAFFING
  It is suggested that Ops teams arrange a meeting with their security providers and venues as soon as possible to understand the proposed plans, and therefore understand any possible extra mitigating plans needing to be put in place as organisers through security companies.
• THREATS
  It is reported that there will be an increased security risk (terror threat) to all events during this period, and in particular the funeral and coronation dates.

Timeline

• D-DAY
  In the hours after the Queen’s death, a “call cascade” will take place informing the Prime Minister. The royal household will issue an “official notification” delivering the news to the public. Flags are to be lowered to half-mast.

• D-DAY+1
  At 10 a.m. on the day after the queen’s death, the Accession Council — which includes senior government figures — meets at St. James’ Palace to proclaim King Charles the new sovereign.
• D-DAY+2
  The Queen’s coffin will return to Buckingham Palace.
• D-DAY+6 TO D-DAY+9
  The Queen will lie in state at the Palace of Westminster for three days. Her coffin will lie on a raised box known as a catafalque in the middle of Westminster Hall, which will be open to the public for 23 hours per day
• D-DAY+10
  The state funeral itself will be held at Westminster Abbey. There will be a two minutes’ silence across the nation at midday.

Comms

• WEBSITE
  We advise that the homepage of your website hosts a message of condolence, with a black and white image of the Queen. We also suggest working with your website developer to have this prepared ahead of time.

• SOCIAL MEDIA
  Post initial message of condolences
  Keep further social posts to a minimum during 12-day mourning period - only post important updates about events
  Share respects on day of funeral

Venues

• PRIVATELY OWNED

Venues will need to consider the following options:

Close throughout the mourning period up to the funeral
Close on the days the funeral and the coronation
Not close at all
Private enterprises will be under no statutory or legal obligation to close.

Deciding to close will be a decision that will be taken based on what is appropriate and acceptable.

• STATE OWNED
  State Owned venues will close.

Transport

• TFL

The AEO has reached out to TFL, however there is a lot of confidentiality surrounding plans.

‘It would be all hands on deck throughout London, with all lines running to capacity.’

Considering the above, it seems the main disruption concern for events is delayed/cancelled public transport and the general traffic in the capital, due to the amount of people expected to flock London.

• NETWORK RAIL

If the Queen passes away anywhere other than London, she will be transported to London via train.

It is expected that trains will travel at 40mph, slowing to 10 mph when passing through a station.

Get in touch

If you would like to share your companies plans with the ESSA, please contact info@essa.uk.com