(A pdf version of this policy is available for download here)
Introduction
This document offers guidance to the elected Members, staff and residents within the area covered by St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council on marking the death of a member of the royal family. It sets out the protocols to be observed on the death of the Sovereign, which involves the greatest number of ceremonial elements. It aligns with national protocols including Operation London Bridge
All parts of this protocol apply on the death of the Sovereign. In addition, this protocol is constructed in a way to allow the appropriate elements to be used when marking the death of other national figures such as the Prime Minister, a serving Councillor or other prominent person.
It is the responsibility of the Chairman and Clerk to decide for whom the protocol is implemented and to what extent.
Elements of this protocol may also be used when responding to another incident which has led to a large number of deaths (i.e. a local disaster or terrorist attack).
Operational Code Names
The death of a senior member of the Royal Family is managed nationally using designated operational code names. These codes are widely used by government departments, local authorities, and official agencies to coordinate protocols and ceremonial activities in accordance with national guidance.
The relevant code names are as follows:
- Operation London Bridge – This refers to the protocol for the death of the Sovereign (the reigning Monarch). It includes the procedures for national mourning, the Proclamation of the new Monarch, ceremonial arrangements, and the state funeral.
- Operation Spring Tide – This refers to the accession and succession of the new Monarch. It runs alongside Operation London Bridge and governs the proclamation ceremonies, tour of the new Monarch across the UK, and related constitutional arrangements.
- Operation Menai Bridge – This refers to the protocol for the death of the Prince of Wales.
These operations form part of a wider framework coordinated by the Royal Household and central government. St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council will adopt the relevant elements of these protocols when directed to do so by Cornwall Council or HM Government.
Implementation of the Protocol on hearing of the death
The Clerk or their appointed deputy shall be responsible for enacting the protocol. The protocol cannot be activated until an official announcement is made.
Plans to mark a death must be implemented only when a formal announcement has been made by Buckingham Palace or the equivalent.
Council business will continue as usual but with regard to grief, respect and the mood of the nation. Meetings and other certain events may proceed but celebratory events will be cancelled or rescheduled. It is the responsibility of the Chairman and Clerk to determine what is appropriate. If meetings are cancelled, the emergency scheme of delegation will be activated.
Timetable – The Sovereign
It is expected that the timetable for national mourning will be –
D Day Date of Death[1]
D+1 Proclamation Day (London)[2]
D+2 Proclamation Day
D+? Middle Sunday (Civic Services)
D+4-6 to D+9 Lying in state
D+10 Date of Funeral (Public Holiday unless a Saturday. If a Sunday, Funeral will be D+11)
Timetable – Senior National Figure
It is expected that the timetable for national mourning will be –
D Day Date of Death
D+? Middle Sunday (Civic Services)
D+2-4 to D+7 Lying in state
D+8 Date of Funeral
Note: dates are subject to formal national confirmation.
Proclamation
The Proclamation of the new Sovereign will be made on D+1 in London at 11.00am and 12noon.
At 12noon on D+2 the Proclamation will be read in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
At 12.30 on D+2 the Proclamation will be read at Edinburgh Castle.
Once those Proclamations have been read it is appropriate for the Proclamation to be read at County and Parish level.
The High Sheriff of Cornwall will read the County Proclamation at 13.00hrs.
As the first citizen of the parish, the Chairman shall read a local Proclamation at the parish council offices at 3pm. If the Chairman is not available, the local proclamation will be read by the second citizen of the parish – the Clerk. The Clerk will be responsible for advertising the reading. All Councillors and staff are expected to attend and the Chairman, Clerk and Vice Chairman will form the platform party.
Flag Flying
On the formal announcement of a death, the Parish Council requests that all flags within the parish be lowered to half-mast and remain at half-mast until 08:00am on the day following the funeral.
In the event of the death of the Sovereign, flags shall be flown at half-mast from the moment of the official announcement until 11:00am on D+1 (Proclamation Day in London). At 11:00am, the flag shall be raised to full-mast to mark the Proclamation of the new Sovereign.
Following the local reading of the Proclamation at parish level (D+2), the flag shall be returned to half-mast and remain at half-mast until 08:00am on the day after the funeral.
Bells
The Clerk or their appointed Deputy will liaise with the Tower Captain of St Stephen Parish Church to ensure the following –
- On the announcement of the Sovereigns death, a single will toll for each year of their life.
- At the Proclamation, there will be a full open peal of bells.
- During any civic service, there will be a full muffled peal of bells
- On the day of the funeral, a single bell will toll for one hour prior to the funeral.
Floodlights
The parish council request that any floodlights within the community are turned deep purple to show the parish is in mourning. Alternatively, flood lights should be switched off.
Books of Condolence
The provision of ‘Books of Condolence’ will remain within the power of Cornwall Council.
Parish Council Website
The Clerk will liaise with the website provider to ensure a black homepage, featuring a picture of the deceased, their birth and death dates and links to the main website and further information will be added to the Parish Council website until 08.00am on the morning following the funeral. A message from the Chairman will be included.
Floral Tributes
Residents may choose to express their sadness by laying flowers; in order to manage such activity safely, the Parish Council has identified the following sites within the Parish:
War memorial, St Stephen Churchtown cemetery
War memorial, Nanpean cemetery
Floral tributes are permitted before the funeral. All flowers will be removed the week after the funeral has taken place.
The parish council respectfully request that any plastic or cellophane is removed to allow composting which will be used in the planting of a memorial tree.
The Chairman will lay floral tributes at both sites on behalf of the parish council.
Dress Code
On occasions where a Parish Council meeting falls during the period of mourning or on the death of the Sovereign and when the Proclamation is read, it is appropriate for all Councillors and members of staff to wear a small black rosette or a black armband. These will be provided by the Parish Council office.
The badge of the chain of office shall be worn in a black mourning pouch until after the funeral.
Marking a Silence
On the death of the Sovereign there will be a two-minute silence at 11.00am on the day of the funeral (D+10).
That silence will be kept for other members of the royal family; advised for the day of the funeral as part of the funeral service.
Letter of Condolence
It is usual, in the case of the death of a member of the royal family, for letters to be sent to the Private Secretary of the deceased, asking that condolences be passed to the next of kin and other members of the family (except in the case of the Sovereigns deaths, in which case they should be sent to the new Sovereigns Private Secretary asking that condolences be passed on to the new Sovereign). In each case, one official letter of condolence on headed paper will be sent on behalf of the Parish Council by the Clerk and signed by the Chairman.
Portrait
A portrait will be displayed, with mourning ribbon, in the Parish Council office for one month following the funeral
Memorial Tree
Memorial trees will be planted during the planting season following the funeral in Nanpean and St Stephen Churchtown cemeteries.
Queries
Any queries on this protocol should be directed to the Clerk on clerk@ststepheninbrannel-pc.gov.uk or 01726 823003.
[1] Place of Death may change timetable (If in Scotland, follow Operation Unicorn.)
[2] Proclamation Day could change due to Privy Council meeting, Bank Holiday or an Election. Follow Buckingham Palace lead.
Adopted by Full Council at their meeting held on Wednesday 13th August 2025 under minute number FPC138/25. Due for review in August 2028.
[1] Place of Death may change timetable (If in Scotland, follow Operation Unicorn.)
[1] Proclamation Day could change due to Privy Council meeting, Bank Holiday or an Election. Follow Buckingham Palace lead.