Operation Menai Bridge

Operation Menai Bridge is the code name for plans related to the death of King Charles III. While it’s a topic that we don’t particularly like to talk about, it’s important for Local Authorities to be prepared in order to communicate effectively with their communities.

What is Operation Menai Bridge?
Operation Menai Bridge is extensive and involves a range of government agencies from the police, military and intelligence services. There are also private organisations and individuals who have specific roles and responsibilities in the event of the monarch’s death.

The name refers to a suspension bridge in Wales - the King has had a long and enduring relationship with Wales, and spent the majority of his adult life as The Prince of Wales. The operation is designed to ensure that the transition of power from one monarch to the other is as smooth and orderly as possible as the country enters a long period of mourning, while also respecting the traditions and protocols that surround the death of a monarch.

The next in line to the throne after King Charles III dies is his eldest son, Prince William. Queen Camilla would not stay on as Queen, but will instead become Queen Dowager.

The plan includes the announcement of his death, the period of official mourning, and the details of his state funeral. Planning for the King's funeral began almost immediately after His Royal Highness' accession to the throne upon the death of his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II.

What should Local Authorities be doing now?
The date is unknown but as it is a significant and historic event to prepare for, many UK Local Authorities already have a plan in place so they can react quickly and effectively to this event.  

Here are some actions our customers have already taken in preparation:

• Using the 'Emergency Communications Module' (a module available within Jadu Central) to prepare a full-screen message of condolence. Please reach out to your account manager for more information.
• Creating a landing page communicating Operation Menai Bridge, in Jadu Central, ready to publish when required.
• Preparing unpublished statements using Jadu Central 
• Establishing a book of condolence using Jadu Directories and eForms, to show the local area’s support.
• As you know, we encourage customers to share ideas so we’ve created a channel in our Jadu Customer Slack Group #menai-bridge for you to collaborate and share what your Local Authority is planning in preparation for Operation Menai Bridge. If you aren’t in the Jadu Customer Slack channel, let us know and we can add you.
• If you feel that you would need to increase your server infrastructure to cope with any additional demand you expect as a result, then please contact us.