Broadcasters Across the World Prepare for Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral: ‘It’s Going to be Mayhem’

variety.com:

K.J. Yossman Last Thursday evening (Sept. 8), “Operation London Bridge” – the codename for the British government’s longstanding arrangements surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s death – swung into motion as the U.K.’s longest-serving monarch, who recently celebrated a record-breaking 70 years on the throne, drew her last breaths at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

For global news outlets, this was also a moment many had spent decades preparing for. “I’ve literally been thinking about this for many, many years,” said ABC News’ senior executive producer for special events, Marc Burstein.

Similarly Chris Shaw, editorial director at U.K. broadcaster ITN News, told Variety that over 35 years he has rehearsed the Queen’s death “several times each decade.” At 12.30pm local time last Thursday, Buckingham Palace gave the first hint that all was not well when they released a statement saying the Queen’s doctors were “concerned for Her Majesty’s health.” The Queen was 96 years old but the statement was still unexpected: just two days earlier she had been photographed at Balmoral welcoming the U.K.’s newest Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

It became clear the situation was serious as it emerged the Queen’s children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – and her grandchildren Prince William and Prince Harry, were racing to Scotland to be by her side.