“Menai Bridge”: what is this code name that has frightened all of England since the announcement of Charles III’s cancer ?

Charles III reprend ce mardi 30 avril ses activités publiques mais sont état de santé demeure préoccupant. ILLUSTRATION MAXPPP – James Shaw/Shutterstock/Avalon

Que cache l’opération "Menai Bridge" à laquelle la couronne britannique se prépare ?

After a three-month gap due to his cancer, King Charles III resumes his public activities this Tuesday, April 30.

But although he returns to service, the sovereign of 75 is not yet cured: his treatment continues, and there is no question of a "full summer programme", says Buckingham Palace.

Since the announcement of his illness, of which Charles III did not specify the nature or progress, a code name frightens everyone ;England: the "Menai Bridge".

A bridge for every member of the royal family

Behind this name of an early 19th century chain suspension bridge which connects North Wales to the island of Anglesey, lies the plan which ;rsquo;will trigger if King Charles III were to die.

According to our colleagues from Paris Match, the name was chosen in connection with the title of Prince of Wales held by Charles III until his accession to the throne.

This is a tradition in the royal family: each member has been assigned a bridge that will "fall" on the day of their death. For Queen Elizabeth II, it was Operation Tay Bridge (the same as for Princess Diana) and for Prince Philip, the husband of the Queen, Operation Forth Bridge.

Codenames

Generally speaking, the royal family swears by code names. "Operation Unicorn" covered after the Queen's death the ceremonies in Edinburgh and the return of the coffin to London while "operation Springtide" refers to the first trip of King Charles III to the other countries of Great Britain.

This custom is sometimes used in France too. Since François Mitterrand, the president has had a code name for the secret services: Vega, while the Prime Minister is called Mérovée.