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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Gemma Jones

Operation Unicorn: Plans for the Queen if she dies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland

There are sincere concerns for Queen Elizabeth's health at the moment.

The 96-year-old monarch is said to be "resting and comfortable" at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, after being put under medical supervision by her doctors. A number of her immediate family members have rushed to be at her side as Buckingham Palace released a rare statement about her health.

A Palace spokesperson said: "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision." The statement concluded: "The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."

READ MORE: Updates as The Queen placed under medical supervision after doctors' concerns

The death of Queen would be a huge state event for the UK leading to an unprecedented outpouring of grief. Edinburgh Live reported that a special strategy is in place in the event the monarch dies while in Scotland.

Details of "Operation Unicorn" emerged in 2019, and they outline the role Edinburgh would play on in the event the Queen did die in Scotland. There is a separate plan in place if the Queen dies while she is resident in London, known as "Operation London Bridge".

What would happen for Operation Unicorn?

If the Queen were to die at her retreat in Balmoral, her body would first be brought to Holyrood Palace. The Palace, along with the Scottish Parliament and St Giles' Cathedral would become the main focus for the public and the world's media.

Her coffin would then be carried to St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh where the Queen would lie in state. The Queen's coffin would be eventually be placed on a royal train at Waverley station and taken south to London, where the funeral would be held. A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: "The existence of plans for a future change of reign are a matter of public record."

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READ MORE:

BBC One suspends TV programming to cover updates of Queen's health

What happens when the Queen dies, and what is Operation London Bridge

How news of Queen's declining health spread suddenly around Parliament

Queen Elizabeth placed under medical supervision after doctors' concerns

Loose Women fans appalled over show's 'silence' on Queen's health

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