King Charles III ascended to the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
More than a year into his reign, the royal family received shocking news that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer after surgery in January 2024 for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
In April 2024, it was reported that the King’s health was deteriorating and that plans for his funeral were being updated.
“When talking to the King’s friends in recent weeks about his health, the most common response was… ‘It’s not good,’” reported Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast.
A friend of the king claimed that Charles was “determined to beat the disease and they are doing everything they can,” adding: “Everyone remains optimistic, but in reality he is not well. More than they are letting on.”
As Charles’s health problems continued, plans regarding the future of the throne were made under the name Ramsay.
Find out more about Operation Menai Bridge below.
What is the Menai Bridge procedure?
Operation Menai Bridge was the code name given to the former Prince of Wales to indicate his death. It is also the name of the world’s first iron suspension bridge in Anglesey, Wales.
The way Operation Menai Bridge would unfold after Charles’ death would be similar to the plan for the 10-day Operation London Bridge, the code name used for his mother Elizabeth.
Preparations for Charles’ death reportedly began after he a*sumed the throne, according to former royal protection officer Simon Morgan.
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He told Al-Youm in September 2022: “Unfortunately, as of tomorrow morning, planning for the Menai Bridge operation will begin in earnest.”
“Even the king said in his acceptance that he would a*sume this role as long as life allowed him to do so. He’s 73 years old, and that’s got to be on your mind, and from the police, we’ve got to start planning again for the future.
