Plans for King Charles's funeral have reportedly been "dusted off" amid growing concern about his health, according to a new report from the Daily Beast.
Additionally, the outlet reports "chatter" that King Charles is "significantly more unwell than his aides are letting on"—a narrative that is increasingly "proliferating in British society." It also spoke to friends of the monarch, who, when asked about his health, said, "It’s not good."
On top of this somber news, King Charles's funeral plans are reportedly being "regularly updated," and there's a document "circulating" Whitehall about what worked (and what didn't work) at Queen Elizabeth's funeral.
"The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date," a source explained. "It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds."
Apparently, officials are "regularly reviewing copies" of Operation Menai Bridge—the code name used for plans regarding King Charles's death.
"Of course they are looking at every aspect of Menai Bridge," another insider confirmed. "The queen’s funeral went like clockwork and set a high bar. It’s not an emotional thing, it’s a job, one taken very seriously, and understandably no-one plans to get caught out."
While all of this is worrying, it's not uncommon for royal funeral plans to be kept up to date. Author Christopher Andersen recently told the Daily Beast, in part:
"It’s not just the king who has to review his own funeral plans. Every senior royal does. William and Harry were only teenagers when they were asked to plan their own funerals. They’re asked to pick their own music, flowers, the prayers and who will read them. Royals are constantly reminded that when they die, their send-off will be a major, headline-grabbing event. They can’t escape this macabre fixation on death. King Charles’s reign will by definition be short, but it’s anyone’s guess at this time just how short. In the meantime, the tried-and-true practice of revising funeral plans should not be used to make that determination."
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