Buckingham Palace has diligently prepared a contingency plan, should the unimaginable occur with Princess Kate Middleton, according to the insights shared by royal commentator Bertrand Deckers in his upcoming book.
This carefully crafted protocol has been designated “Operation Reading Bridge,” a heartfelt nod to Kate’s hometown of Reading, thoughtfully chosen by her husband, Prince William.
This intriguing detail was revealed to the public on the 4th of June through Le Figaro, just days ahead of Deckers’ book launch set for June 11th.
Deckers, who is well-versed in the British royal family dynamics, describes the code name choice as “nearly a declaration of love,” underlining William’s sincere involvement in the planning process:
“ORB, the shortened form of this code name, serves as a beautiful reference to one of the most recognized symbols in the Tower of London, representing a globe topped by a cross—signifying Earth under divine rule—held by each monarch on their coronation day.”
For the seasoned royal expert, the selection of this code name is far from random, but rather a “loving tribute” from William to Kate.
Understanding the Traditions: Royal Code Names and Bridge References
In previous protocols, phrases like “London Bridge is down” were used to convey the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, leading to “Operation London Bridge.”
Traditionally, royal family members have designated code names that evoke well-known bridges. For example, the passing of King Charles will be noted by “Operation Menai Bridge.”
The revelation of Princess Kate’s operation comes while the public closely follows her journey, especially after her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and her subsequent announcement of remission by January, as reported by BUSINESS TIMES.
Princess Kate’s Journey Back to Her Duties and Family Life