Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died Thursday at her Scotland estate, Balmoral Castle. She was 96.
Upon her death, her eldest son, Charles, immediately became king.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” King Charles III said in a statement shared by Buckingham Palace Thursday. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss de ella will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
Obituaries:Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96; Prince Charles takes the throne as king
London travel is extremely busy,but not impossible if you plan ahead
Elizabeth’s funeral plans have been in place since the 1960s. It’s been 70 years since the last monarch’s death, the ceremonies and processions will likely be a big draw for spectators and tourists. Here’s what to know if you are planning to travel for the queen’s funeral.
What are the funeral plans for the queen?
The queen’s funeral plans are known as Operation London Bridge, due to heavy involvement by the military in organizing and executing processions and ceremonies. Details about what would happen in the 10-day period leaked for the first time in Guardian in May 2017.
In the coming days, there will be a procession of the coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster, with a service at Westminster Hall to follow, according to information from the Foreign Press Association of London. Elizabeth will also lie in state at Westminster Hall and have a state funeral at Westminster Abbey, and the day will be declared a Day of National Mourning.
Since the queen died at Balmoral Castle, her body will remain there before being moved to London.
Operation London Bridge is expected to overtake the country’s attention for some time before the coronation of a new monarch – which could be in months.
Also at Westminster Hall, King Charles III will soon receive Parliament’s motion of condolence. He will then leave on a tour of the kingdom.
What are the United Kingdom’s entry requirements for Americans?
US travelers visiting the UK must have a valid passport for their entire trip, according to the US State Department’s website. Tourists do not need a visa if they are staying for less than six months.
If travelers are going to visit other destinations after leaving the UK, many other countries require their passports to be valid for another six months at least, the State Department notes.
The UK previously dropped its remaining COVID-19 travel rules in March, allowing all visitors to enter the country without showing proof of a negative test or filling out a passenger locator form.
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What to expect when traveling to the UK
Tim Hentschel, co-founder and CEO at HotelPlanner, said they have seen a 20% increase in searches for London hotels from IP addresses in North America over the past 12 hours, and around a 32% increase in bookings.
He said they have also seen about a 10% to 20% jump in room rates over the past 12 hours, particularly among four and five-star hotels, the latter of which he said are going for £1,000 per night (or about $1,160) . HotelPlanner is forecasting that rates will double in the next few days across hotel categories, Hentschel said.
London travel is extremely busy,but not impossible if you plan ahead
“I expect that this weekend will be big in the pubs and getting out and commiserating together and everything else,” he told USA TODAY. “It’s a tough one because obviously people are sad, but it’s a good time to be around family and friends during times of sadness.”
He said the easiest path into London is through Heathrow Airport, where travelers will find the most selection of flights. He recommended visitors also consider hotels in that area – close to Windsor Castle – as they are typically around 50% to 60% less expensive than those in the city center.
And while a trip to London is cause for excitement, American visitors should also keep in mind that this is a somber time.
“People should be reminded that it’s not a party,” Hentschel said.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism