- At age 94, the Queen is the longest-reigning monarch.
- Britain will come to a halt the day the Queen
dies . - Here's what the hours, days, and months will look like following the Queen's
death .
The Duke of Edinburgh's death has others questioning: What happens when the Queen dies?
Queen Elizabeth, 94, is the longest-reigning monarch, and the Palace has spent decades preparing for her death.
When the day comes, it will be an event unlike anything Britain has seen in the 21st century. However, things may look drastically different if the Queen were to die during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Here's a look at what will happen in the hours, days, and months following her death in a traditional year.
When the Queen dies, the codename 'London Bridge' will be used
Whether the Queen's death is expected or unexpected will drastically change what will happen on that day, but either way, Buckingham Palace will relay the message to staff and government officials using a codename.
"London Bridge is down" is the secret codename Buckingham Palace will use to inform the British Prime Minister and other government officials, Insider previously reported.
The Palace staff will be notified through the royal court's staff hotline, and most staff members will be sent home.
The rest of the world will find out through social media and news outlets
Similar to Prince Philip's death, the BBC will stop its programming to announce the Queen's passing. According to The Guardian, BBC broadcasters actively practice for her passing.
Other major networks and news outlets are also prepared for the day. Obituaries are pre-written and coverage has is planned.
The news will quickly spread through social media on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
Britain will come to a halt
As Insider's Rob Price previously reported, Britain will come to a halt that's expected to last about 12 days.
Stock markets and banks may close, leaving billions in lost earnings.
Smaller things will also be paused.
When King George VI passed in 1952, the BBC temporarily stopped airing comedy television shows. According to the Daily Mail, the BBC plans to do the same when Queen Elizabeth II dies.
The public will immediately start mourning
Previous royal deaths, like the death of Princess Diana, brought waves of public mourning.
For the beloved Queen, some experts foreshadow mass hysteria after the news is announced. Buckingham Palace and other royal locations and residences will likely see an influx of visitors and millions - if not billions - of bouquets will be left at these locations.
The royal family will also go into mourning
As seen with Prince Philip's death, the royal family is likely to release statements and pay tributes to the Queen.
Flags will fly at half-mast
Following the announcement of Prince Philip's death, Buckingham Palace quickly changed its Union Jack flag to fly at half-mast.
The same is expected for when the Queen dies. Flags will be flown at half-mast until 8 a.m. the day after the
One day after the Queen's death, Prince Charles will become the successor
The heir to the throne will be determined by birth order, which means Prince Charles will be the Queen's successor since he is her oldest son.
Although he will automatically become the king when the Queen dies, an official Accession Council will be held at St. James's Palace to formally declare Prince Charles the successor.
This will take place one day after the Queen's death, according to British Heritage.
Prince Charles may abdicate and pass the throne to his eldest son Prince William, but as Insider previously reported, this is highly unlikely.
The Queen's body will lie 'in state' for four days
If the Queen does not die during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic - or another pandemic for that matter - her coffin will be prepared to lie in state for four days. This is where the public can visit and pay their respects.
The coffin will be placed in Westminster Hall, and mourners will be able to pay their respects for 23 hours a day.
When the Queen's father died, 305,000 people came to Westminster Hall and waited in a line four miles long. Officials estimate that one million people will wait in line to see Queen Elizabeth II.
A 'Vigil of the Princes' will take place on day three
After the Queen has been in state for three days, her grieving grandsons will relieve the official guards. Called the "Vigil of the Princes," they will stand guard over the coffin for a short period.
Around 10 days after her death, a funeral will be held
The Queen's funeral will take place in Westminster Abbey between 10 and 12 days after her death, as Insider previously reported.
World leaders will arrive in Britain to attend the event, and the country will be given a national day of mourning.
At 9 a.m. that day, Big Ben's bell will ring once, then the bell's hammer will be covered with a leather pad to dampen its tones for the rest of the day.
Some have predicted that the Queen's corgis will be involved in the procession. When Edward VII died in 1910, his fox terrier Caesar led the mourners. His son's funeral procession was followed by his white pony named Jock.
Billions of people will watch the procession from their homes.
The Queen will be then buried - though it's not known where
The Queen may have already decided where she will be buried, but the information has not been told to the public.
However, it's likely she will be buried at Sandringham or Balmoral in Scotland, although it has not been officially confirmed.
She may also be buried with her father at St. George's Chapel at Windsor.
Britain's national anthem, money, and other things will change in the following weeks and months
It will take several years, but over time the British currency will be replaced with an image of the new monarch.
The current anthem includes the lyrics, "God Save The Queen," which will be replaced with "God Save The King."
Eventually, a coronation will take place
After a certain appropriate period of mourning - up to a year or so - there will be a coronation.
This coronation will be the ceremonial affair where Prince Charles receives his crown.
The Queen's funeral will become a national holiday
The day of the funeral will become an official bank holiday and likely a day few will forget.
Caroline Praderio contributed to an earlier version of this story.