Queen Elizabeth II and her Royal Officers Quiz

Answer: Operation London Bridge

Holding the highest office as the Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral in Scotland; she was the first British Monarch to die there since 1542. "London Bridge is down" was the code phrase used to inform The Prime Minister of the death of the sovereign. As she died in Scotland, as part of 'Operation London Bridge' 'Operation Unicorn' was implemented to convey her body back to London.

If she had died overseas, 'Operation Overstudy' would have come into play.
When George VI died, the Prime Minister was informed with the phrase "Hyde Park Corner" 'Operation Tay Bridge' related to the death of the Queen Mother, and 'Operation Forth Bridge' was used for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member smpdit.

Answer: Duke of Norfolk

The Earl Marshall is one of the Great Officers of State, and is also responsible for organising coronations, the annual 'Opening of Parliament' as well as state funerals. Edward Fitzalan-Howard is the 18th Duke of Norfolk. He was born in 1956 and continues in his office into the reign of Charles III, where his first role will be to organise his coronation. He and his wife Georgina, have three sons and two daughters. As Earl Marshall he is the head of the College of Arms, which is the fount of all knowledge regarding genealogy and heraldry. His office grants warrants regarding Coats of Arms. He carries a baton of gold with a black finish at either end and this is seen in his heraldry.

The Dukedoms of Sussex, York and Cornwall are not hereditary titles, but are bestowed by the grace of the Monarch.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member smpdit.

Answer: False

Though he was present at both services, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, did not conduct either of them. The State Funeral was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, while the committal service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, David Conner. At the State Funeral, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave the sermon, while at Windsor he pronounced the concluding blessing, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

In his sermon during the State Funeral, the Archbishop of Canterbury emphasized the late Queen Elizabeth II's commitment to serving the nation and the Commonwealth, and how her presence set a shining example and touched many lives.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member LadyNym.

Answer: Bodyguard

The Colonels of the Light Guards (LG) and the Blues and Royals (RHG/D) hold the positions of the Gold Stick. One of Queen Elizabeth II's Gold Sticks was her daughter Anne, Princess Royal, as the Colonel of the Blues and Royals.

Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne was the Colonel of the Life Guards. One or the other would be on duty at state occasions, where they would be the Gold Stick-in-Waiting. Though the positions date back to the Tudors, today the positions are largely ceremonial. Their primary purpose was personal safety of the Sovereign. The Silver Stick acts a deputy to the Gold Sticks and is the Commander of the Household Cavalry. When on duty he/she is termed Silver Stick Adjutant.

Princess Anne accompanied her mother's coffin on the journey from Balmoral to London.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member Jaknginger.

Answer: Wales

Adam Tuck was appointed to this role in 2019 after the position remained empty from 2010. The Red Dragon refers to Wales, and also appears on their flag. Tuck has two Masters of Arts degrees - the first, in History, was granted by the University of Cambridge and the second, for Graphic Design, by the University of the Arts, London. He is employed as in-house designer for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Perhaps associated with his work in graphic design, Tuck posted a photo of his patent of appointment to Twitter, commenting that it was meant to be seen!

The role of Rouge Dragon Pursuivant is a junior officer of the College of Arms. He walked with the other Heralds and the Kings Guard in the block immediately in front of the gun carriage at her Majesty's funeral.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member pusdoc.

Answer: Master of the Horse

Rupert Ponsonby was Master of the Horse. He was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019. His service continues with King Charles III after the Queen's death in September 2022. Master of the Horse is the third dignitary of the court. In today's times, the position is mainly ceremonial but is visible during state occasions. The Master of Horse was in the funeral procession in the block in front of the gun carriage bearing her coffin. He was in the Procession of the Coffin as it entered Westminster Abbey.

Queen Elizabeth II had five Masters of the Horse during her reign. She had a deep affection for ponies. One of her favorites was a Fell pony, Emma. The Queen rode Emma into her 90s. The pony was in attendance during the Queen's funeral procession.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member Jaknginger.

Answer: Swans

Barber is the Marker of the Swans, a role that has evolved from Master to Keeper to Marker. The name harks back to the time when swans on the Thames were marked with notches on the beak to indicate ownership. Currently, the swans on the Thames are split between the royal household and the Vintners and Dyers livery companies. The ones belonging to the monarch are unmarked, and now the others receive a leg ring rather than beak notches.

Barber has strong ties to the river, having apprenticed on the Thames. He owns a boatyard in Cookham. He has said that Queen Elizabeth II took a "grand interest" in the conservation of the swans and other wildlife and has accompanied him and his team in previous years for the annual 'upping' census.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member pusdoc.

Answer: Admiral of the Fleet, Michael Boyce

The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is a ceremonial office in the United Kingdom. It is a sinecure and an honorary title that dates back to at least the 12th century, when it was known as Keeper of the Coast. The Lord Warden was originally in charge of the Cinque Ports, a group of five port towns on the English southeast coast as the need to organise the defences of Kent and Sussex became important when the Crown lost control of Normandy in 1204.

Today the title is one of the higher honours given by the Sovereign. People who have been granted this title have been those who have been instrumental in defending Great Britain in wartime. Michael Boyce has been in the role since 2004. Preceding him were HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother 1978-2002, Sir Robert Menzies (Former Australian Prime Minister) 1966-1978, and Sir Winston Churchill 1941-1965. Note that these people held the role until they died.

Michael Boyce joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet. He became a submariner before he captained three submarines and then a frigate. He then achieved a higher command in the Navy and served as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (the highest position in the Royal Navy) from 1998 to 2001 then Chief of the Defence Staff (2001-03). He was knighted three times. Boyce was created a life peer as Baron Boyce in 2003 and was bestowed with the title of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports soon after the passing of the Queen Mother in 2002.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1.

Answer: Lord Chamberlain

The Lord Chamberlain is the senior officer of the British Royal Household. The person appointed was traditionally a Peer and a member of the Privy Council and appointed by the Prime Minister. This changed in 1924 and the holder appointed by agreement between the Sovereign and current PM. Andrew Parker, aka the Lord Parker of Minsmere, was the Director of MI5 until 2020 and appointed to Lord Chamberlain in April 2021.

The Lord Chamberlain is in charge of the various departments and is also in charge of the organisation of all ceremonial activities. He is also responsible for the Honourable Corps of the Gentlemen at Arms and also the Yeomen of the Guards. During official ceremonial or State events, the Lord Chamberlain carries the symbols of office- namely a white staff and a key (representing the key of the palace). At the end of his tenure, these symbols are returned to the Monarch, but upon the death of Monarch, the staff is symbolically broken and placed on the coffin to signify the end of her reign. This was shown at the committal service of Queen Elizabeth II in the St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The Lord Great Chamberlain, while similar sounding, is a hereditary title and is responsible for the Royal affairs in the Palace of Westminster.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member leith90.

Answer: The Great Seal of the Realm

As the highest ranking of the 'Great Officers of State' the position of Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister. The duty of office is to maintain the efficiency and independence of the courts and to act as custodian of the Great Seal of England. Brandon Lewis was appointed to the position by Queen Elizabeth II on advice from the then newly- elected Prime Minister Liz Truss. At the time, Brandon Lewis was also the Secretary of State for Justice.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member leith90.