Queen Elizabeth II: The Royal Vigils of Operation London Bridge
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom observed a series of solemn traditions designed to honor her life and reign. Central to these proceedings was Operation London Bridge, the official funeral plan that outlined the precise protocols for the Queen's passing, including the poignant royal vigils held by her children and grandchildren.
The First Vigil: St Giles' Cathedral
Before the coffin returned to London, a 24-hour "lying-at-rest" took place at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. During this period, a permanent guard was maintained by the Royal Company of Archers, known as The King's Bodyguard for Scotland. On 12 September 2022, at 19:40 BST, the Queen's four children joined a detachment of four Royal Company members to stand vigil for ten minutes.
The attire for this occasion reflected the diverse roles of the royal family: King Charles III wore a kilt of the Royal Stewart tartan, the Princess Royal wore the full dress uniform of the Royal Navy, and the Earl of Wessex and Forfar wore the No.1 dress uniform of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. The Duke of York attended in black morning dress with medals. Notably, the Princess Royal became the first woman to ever participate in this ceremony.
The Lying-in-State in London
As part of the formal lying-in-state in London, the Queen's children gathered for a second vigil on 16 September 2022, at 19:47 BST. For this ceremony, all four children appeared in military uniform. King Charles III and the Duke of York wore the ceremonial day dress of the Royal Navy, while the Earl of Wessex and Forfar again wore the No.1 dress uniform of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry. The Princess Royal wore the full dress uniform of the Blues and Royals, including the staff of a Gold Stick (a ceremonial staff carried by a high-ranking officer), reflecting her role as Colonel of the Regiment.
The Grandchildren's Vigil
On 17 September 2022, at 18:00 BST, the Queen's eight grandchildren held their own vigil. At the request of King Charles III, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex wore the No.1 dress of the Blues and Royals. Peter Phillips and Viscount Severn wore black morning dress with medals, while the female grandchildren wore dark formal dresses. The eight grandchildren included William, Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Peter Phillips; Zara Tindall; Princess Beatrice; Princess Eugenie; Lady Louise Windsor; and James, Viscount Severn.
Key Facts
- Operation London Bridge was the official codename for the Queen's funeral plans.
- The Princess Royal was the first woman to participate in the royal vigil ceremony.
- Vigils were held at both St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh and during the lying-in-state in London.
- The royal family stood on the sides of the coffin, one step above the guards, who remained at the corners.
- Each royal vigil lasted 15 minutes or less, while the Changing of the Guard occurred every twenty minutes.
Summary of Royal Vigil Attire
| Family Member | Edinburgh Vigil Attire | London Vigil Attire |
|---|---|---|
| King Charles III | Royal Stewart tartan kilt | Royal Navy ceremonial day dress |
| Princess Royal | Royal Navy full dress uniform | Blues and Royals full dress (with Gold Stick) |
| Duke of York | Black morning dress with medals | Royal Navy ceremonial day dress |
| Earl of Wessex and Forfar | Royal Wessex Yeomanry No.1 dress | Royal Wessex Yeomanry No.1 dress |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Operation London Bridge?
Operation London Bridge was the official, pre-planned set of arrangements for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Who provided the guard at St Giles' Cathedral?
The permanent guard at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh was provided by the Royal Company of Archers, The King's Bodyguard for Scotland.
How did the 2022 vigils differ from the 2002 vigil?
Unlike the vigil held in 2002, the royal family did not relieve any of the guards standing at attention at the Queen's coffin during the 2022 ceremonies.
Which grandchildren participated in the vigil?
The eight grandchildren who stood vigil were William, Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Peter Phillips; Zara Tindall; Princess Beatrice; Princess Eugenie; Lady Louise Windsor; and James, Viscount Severn.
What was the duration of the royal vigils?
Each royal vigil lasted 15 minutes or less, whereas the Changing of the Guard took place every twenty minutes.