Queen Elizabeth II was worried that dying in Scotland might create difficulties for officials planning her funeral, the Princess Royal has revealed.
In a new BBC documentary, the late Queen’s daughter shines light on how the monarch remained committed to duty and service until the very end.
Princess Anne, 72, also said it was “serendipity” that she was at Balmoral before Elizabeth died in September last year.
She says: “I think there was a moment when she felt that it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral.
“And I think we did try and persuade her that that shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process.
“So I hope she felt that that was right in the end, because I think we did.”
The codename for arrangements after Elizabeth’s death, including the lying in state, vigils and state funeral, was Operation London Bridge.
But courtiers also had plans in place if the Queen died at any of her main residences or if it happened overseas or in Scotland.
It comes as no surprise that Elizabeth was thinking of others in her final days as she honoured the pledge she gave on her 21st birthday in 1947 that she would devote her life to service, whether it be short or long.
In the BBC documentary, which focuses on Charles’s first year as King, Huw Edwards is heard announcing the Queen’s death.
The presenter is suspended by the corporation while it investigates allegations made against him earlier this year.
Anne says the pivotal moment for her came when the Imperial State Crown was removed from the late Queen’s coffin – symbolic of her role passing to Charles.
She said: “My mother’s funeral in St George’s [at Windsor], he takes the crown off the coffin – I rather weirdly felt a sense of relief, somehow that’s it, finished. That responsibility being moved on.”
Even though Charles has spent much of his life waiting to become King, Anne says: “I’m not sure that anybody can really prepare
themselves for that kind of change…not easily.”
“And then the change happens and you go, ‘OK, I now have to get on with it.’” She adds: “Monarchy is a 365-days-a-year occupation, it doesn’t stop because you change monarchs for whatever reason.”
Anne also notes that while “it’s a big operation”, Charles is enjoying being King. And she heaps praise on Camilla as Queen consort, saying: “I’ve known her a long time, off and on. Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the King has been absolutely outstanding, and this role is not something she would have been a natural for, but she does it really well. And she provides that change of speed and tone, she’s equally modern.”
Charles III: The Coronation Year is on Boxing Day at 6.50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
