News
London Bridge Is Down — Queen Elizabeth II Dead at 96
The London Bridge is down.
Originally published on GlamourBuff.com
The London Bridge is down.
Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom monarch and 14 other sovereign countries, is dead at 96. She died peacefully while surrounded by her family. “The Queen has died, very sadly. She died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” officials said.
Her cause of death was presumably due to aging and complicated health issues.
Now, after her death, her son Prince Charles immediately became King. According to CNN, the Royal family referred to Charles as King in announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reacted to the news that Queen Elizabeth II had died at 96, saying that “our hearts and our thoughts” go to the family and the people of the United Kingdom.
“Our hearts and our thoughts go to the family members of the Queen, goes to the people of United Kingdom. I don’t want to get ahead of what the President is going to say,” Jean-Pierre said at the end of the White House press briefing, reacting live to the news of the Queen’s passing.
Concerns about her health and death rumors began after Buckingham Palace, on September 8, 2022, revealed that Queen Elizabeth II was being monitored by medics — who were concerned about her health. It was reported that she was comfortable and will continue at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she has spent the summer.
The successor to the throne, now-King Prince Charles, was at Balmoral Castle with the Queen and his wife, Camilla, and sister, Princess Anne. Soon after the news about the Queen being treated was released, Charles’ oldest son, Prince William, was on his way to Balmoral, as were his brother, Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan, Prince Andrew, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The statement regarding the Queen’s health came a day after the 96-year-old Queen was urged to rest and postponed a meeting of her Privy Council. At Wednesday’s meeting, the Privy Council, a group of the monarch’s top advisors, was scheduled to swear in Truss and her new Cabinet colleagues officially.
On September 8, every top official in the government and the BBC were being closely monitored. Huw Edwards, a BBC news presenter, went on air wearing a black tie before it was announced that the Queen was dead.
This is a canary in the mine for people who are aware of the arrangements for the death of a king. Similarly, BBC’s website was changed to black, and all BBC One programming was canceled till 6 p.m.
What will happen now?
The plan for what will happen in the United Kingdom on and immediately after Queen Elizabeth II’s death is known as Operation London Bridge, also known by its code phrase London Bridge Is Down.
This includes the announcement of her death, the period of official mourning, and the details of her state funeral. Some crucial choices about the plan have been made by the Queen herself, while others will have to be made by her successor, Charles, Prince of Wales, following her death.
When Queen dies, her private secretary will be the first official to deliver the news. Their first step will be to contact the prime minister, where civil servants will use secure telephone lines to convey the code phrase “London Bridge is down” to the prime minister.
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96. (Source: Twitter)
The private secretary will also inform the cabinet secretary and the Privy Council Office. The cabinet secretary will then tell ministers and senior civil servants.
The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office’s Global Response Centre, based in a secret location in London, will communicate the news to the governments of the 14 other countries where Elizabeth II reigned and the governments of the other Commonwealth of Nations.
An announcement would inform the media to PA Media and the BBC via the Radio Alert Transmission System (RATS). Similarly, the commercial radio on the Independent Radio News will also be informed via a network of blue “obit lights” alerting presenters to play “inoffensive music” and prepare for a news flash.
At the same time, BBC Two would suspend scheduled programming and switch to BBC One’s broadcast of the announcement. It is reported that The Times has 11 days of planned coverage, while ITN and Sky News have long practiced her death under the name “Mrs Robinson.”
A footman would attach a dark-edged notification to Buckingham Palace’s gates. At the same time, the palace website would display the same notice.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom, as well as the parliaments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would meet as soon as possible or be recalled if they are not currently sitting. The Prime Minister would address the House of Commons.
The new monarch, Prince Charles, will meet with the prime minister and then deliver a speech to the nation at 6 p.m., the evening following the Queen’s death.
Whitehall and local government buildings will fly flags at half-mast, and books of condolence may be opened; ceremonial ornaments, such as ceremonial maces or council chains, are to be placed in black purses.
Similarly, Gun salutes will take place at saluting stations. Depending on where Elizabeth II died, different preparations for conveying her coffin are planned, including those for Windsor Castle and Scotland.
The plan known as Operation Unicorn will happen since the Queen died in Scotland. Once the death is made public, Holyrood Palace, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the Scottish Parliament will be the focal points of gatherings, with a public condolence book put up at the latter.
Parliamentary activities will be halted immediately for at least six days to enable officials to prepare for the burial. Within 72 hours after reconvening, the parliament will draft a motion of condolence.
The Queen’s coffin will be laid to rest at Holyrood Palace, followed by a reception ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. Following that, the coffin would be brought to Waverley station and, if feasible, conveyed by the Royal Train to London.
If not, the coffin would be flown to London and met by the prime minister and cabinet members.
If she had died at Windsor Castle or Sandringham House, the coffin would be transported by Royal Train to London’s St Pancras railway station. There, the prime minister and cabinet ministers will be waiting.
If she had died overseas, the coffin would be transported by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron to RAF Northolt and then by hearse to Buckingham Palace.
In all situations, the casket would be carried to Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room. It would be brought to Westminster Hall five days following the Queen’s death and lay in state for three days after service.
A state funeral led by the Archbishop of Canterbury would be held at Westminster Abbey ten days after the Queen’s death. Her body would then be buried in a prepared tomb at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose coffin will be moved from the Royal Vault.
Before the burial, a committal ceremony would be performed at St George’s Chapel. As the Queen and the Prime Minister agreed, the day of the funeral would be proclaimed a day of national mourning, although no bank holiday would be given.
At noon, there will be a two-minute silence throughout the United Kingdom, and processions will assemble in London and Windsor.
The plans for the Queen’s death and funeral run concurrently with Operation Spring Tide, the plan for the Prince of Wales’ accession to the throne. The day after the Queen’s death, the Accession Council would meet at St James’s Palace to proclaim the new monarch.
Parliament would meet that evening to swear allegiance to the new monarch and express condolences for the Queen’s death. The majority of legislative activity would be halted for ten days.
The new monarch, King Charles, will welcome the prime minister and cabinet for an audience at 3:30 p.m. Proclamations of the new monarch will be made by the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish governments two days following the Queen’s death.
King Charles would receive the motion of condolence in Westminster Hall in the morning on the third day after the Queen’s death before departing on a tour of the United Kingdom. Similarly, the new king would visit the Scottish parliament and attend a liturgy at Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral.
He would also go to Northern Ireland the next day when they would receive a motion of condolence at Hillsborough Castle and attend a liturgy at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
Then, he would visit Wales seven days following the Queen’s death, receiving a vote of condolence from the Welsh parliament and attending liturgy at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
Keep reading Glamour Buff for more stories like this!
News
The Bachelor’s Aly Jacobs Gets Engaged to Longtime Boyfriend
The duo has been dating since early 2023.
Congratulations to Alyssa Danielle Jacobs, also known as Aly Jacobs, who recently got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, whose identity is yet to be revealed.
The 28-year-old former contestant of The Bachelor revealed her engagement to her boyfriend in a romantic Instagram post on Monday, August 5, 2024. She shared a series of pictures alongside her future husband while flaunting her engagement ring.
In the first picture, she was seen sitting in her fiance’s lap, as her partner delivered a sweet kiss on her cheeks. Jacobs seemed to be donning a red outfit; however, it isn’t clear as she had covered herself with her fiance’s coat.
On the other hand, her mystery fiance wore a white shirt with a navy blue suit. The second picture showed the newly engaged couple passionately kissing each other on the lips, as Jacobs upheld her hand to flaunt her stunning diamond engagement ring.
Aly Jacobs being kissed on the cheeks by her boyfriend following their engagement (Photo: Instagram)
Similarly, the third and last picture she added was a selfie her now-fiance took on their first date at Bones Restaurant in Atlanta. To accompany those memorable images, she wrote, “from first dates to forever, the easiest yes.”
Moments after she made the big engagement announcement, her Instagram post was filled with congratulatory messages from friends and well-wishers. For instance, one Instagram user and a friend of the couple wrote, “I knew it!! Congrats, Aly!! So happy for you two.”
“OMG!!! Yay Aly!! You deserve it all. So happy for you!” wrote another friend of the former Bachelor contestant, with one Instagram user following up with, “Congratulations!!! Such an incredible couple, so so happy for y’all!”
Aly Jacobs and her boyfriend attending a friend’s wedding at Cherokee Town and Country Club (Photo: Instagram)
Likewise, one Instagram user commented, “Over the moon elated for you both!!! So happy you found your person, and above all, to see you receive the love you are so worthy and deserving of. Congratulations lovey!!!”
Jacobs and her boyfriend-turned-fiance officially began dating on February 3, 2023. However, the exact details of how they met as well as all the details about her future husband currently remains unknown, as the reality star prefers to keep them under the limelight.
That said, the first time she featured her then-boyfriend on her Instagram handle was on June 21, 2023. She shared a series of pictures with her partner from their vacation in Amelia Island and captioned it by writing, “keeping this one to myself.”
Since then, she has frequently featured her boyfriend on her social media handles. In December 2023, they spent Christmas together, and a couple of months later, on February 3, 2024, they marked their first dating anniversary.
Fast forward to August 2024, Jacobs and her partner have taken a big step in their relationship and gotten engaged. Once again, congratulations to the love birds!
News
Jenn Tran Responds to Hurtful Racist Message She Received over Instagram
“You’ll have to try a little harder.”
Jenn Tran, the first Asian American Bachelorette, recently addressed a racist message she received, expressing her dismay and resilience. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of racism and the importance of standing against hate.
As The Bachelorette Season 21 – featuring Tran – continues to air weekly, Tran has been taking to her Instagram handle to bond with her fans, by asking them to send her which Taylor Swift song they believe applies to that week’s episode.
After going through all the suggestions, she picks one and officially names the one song as the “song of the week” after the episode airs. Some of Swift’s songs that have been picked during the past few weeks are ‘Sparks Fly,’ ‘Karma,’ ‘State of Grace,’ and ‘Jump Then Fall.’
On Monday, August 5, 2024, the fifth episode of The Bachelorette Season 21 aired, and as custom, Tran took to her Instagram story to ask her fans which Taylor Swift song applies to this week’s episode. However, one particular response wasn’t what Tran was expecting.
Jenn Tran at the premiere of Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (Photo: Instagram)
It’s because that response was targeted toward Tran’s ethnicity. This hateful and racist response targeted the reality star’s Asian roots, mentioning the shape of her eyes and her ability to “see” if they are “barely open.”
Tran immediately decided to shut down this racist message and clapped back via her Instagram story. First, she wrote, “First of all, not on Taylor Swift song day!!! How rude!” She then followed up with, “Second of all, if you’re gonna make a racist comment to hurt me, you’ll have to try a little harder than with something I’ve been hearing since I was a kid.”
Despite the hurtful message, she remains focused on her journey as the Bachelorette. She continues to approach her role with positivity and determination, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
As the first Asian American Bachelorette, Tran has faced unique pressures and responsibilities. In an earlier interview with Bachelor Nation, she discussed the significance of her role, expressing her desire to be a positive role model.
In the interview, she shared her thoughts on the pressures of being the first Asian American Bachelorette. She acknowledged the weight of expectations but emphasized her commitment to staying true to herself and her story. Jenn expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her ethnicity and inspire others.
She stated, “Of course I feel pressure. A lot of it actually comes from me wanting to be a good role model and do it ‘right,’ whatever that means. At the end of the day, I tell myself that it’s just about being myself and telling my story the best that I can.”
Her journey as the Bachelorette is not only about finding love but also about breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity. Her grace and strength continue to inspire many, and her stance against racism sets a powerful example for her audience and beyond.
Here at GlamourBuff, we don’t tolerate any online bullying or racist behavior.
News
Shanae Ankney and Future Husband Nate Ebner Celebrate Second Anniversary
Congratulations to the two!
Shanae Ankney is relishing all the days before she officially becomes a wife to her boyfriend-turned-fiance Nate Ebner.
One such day was Ankney and Ebner’s second dating anniversary. On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the Bachelor in Paradise alum took to her Instagram handle to mark the special occasion.
She posted a PDA-filled picture of herself and her partner, where they were sweetly kissing each other. The image was taken on the sidewalk, in front of what seems to be a small restaurant or a diner.
It means that the love birds went to get some alone time and celebrate their special milestone. Alongside the picture, she wrote a sweet caption, reading, “Love is spelled T-I-M-E. Happy two years my love. I can’t wait to share your last name.”
Some moments later, friends and well-wishers took to the comment section to pour congratulatory messages. One Instagram user wrote, “You were our favorite ever from the bachelor franchise, sooo happy to see you found your happily ever after!!!”
“So happy for y’all. May God bless you and your little family,” wrote another Instagram user. Similarly, a friend of the engaged duo commented, “Yay!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!!”
Likewise, one doubter, who didn’t believe Ankney and Ebner’s relationship would last this long, took to the comment section and wrote, “I can’t believe it lasted this long. I was wrong. I thought he would leave within 3 months.”
Well, while there might have been some doubts about Ankney and her boyfriend’s relationship during its initial phase, those doubts went away as their bond strengthened. One of the main reasons behind their relationship’s strength was when they welcomed a baby.
Speaking from the start, the 32-year-old Ankney – whose birth name is Shanae Irene Ankney – officially began dating Ebner on July 30, 2022. However, she initially kept their relationship a secret and also didn’t feature him on her socials.
Shanae Ankney kissing her future husband Nate Ebner (Photo: Instagram)
On November 11, 2022, she soft-launched her relationship with the former NFL player. She had posted the same picture as the one in her second dating anniversary post, except only Ebner’s arm was visible in the 2022 Instagram post.
On April 10, 2023, she officially hard-launched their relationship via Instagram. Less than a year later, on October 23, 2023, Ankney took to her Instagram handle to announce that she was pregnant with a baby girl and her due date was April 2024.
On April 11, 2024, she gave birth to an adorable daughter, whom the couple named Maven Jane. She publicly announced the good news on April 15, captioning her post, “Maven Jane 🤍 4•11•2024 🤍 you were worth the wait my sweet girl.”
A month after welcoming their baby girl, the boyfriend-girlfriend duo got engaged. On May 16, 2024, The Bachelor alum revealed that Ebner went down on his knee and proposed to her, to which she gladly accepted.
Shanae Ankney and her future husband, Nate Ebner, with their baby girl (Photo: Instagram)
She shared a picture of her holding her baby girl, while flaunting her engagement ring, and wrote, “I can’t wait to do it all with you Nate, you make me the happiest girl alive. Here’s to FOREVER. I love you!”
As mentioned earlier, Ankney and her partner have been together for a little over two years. In the time they have spent together, they have welcomed a baby and gotten engaged. And the wedding bells might also be ringing soon. We wish the couple nothing but the best!
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