Senior Whitehall sources report that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is still included in confidential government arrangements for a major funeral. This remains true despite King Charles III stripping the former Duke of York of his royal titles last year.

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The legacy of Operation London Bridge and Forth Bridge

The "bridge plans" serve as a pre-arranged blueprint for the funerals of senior members of the Royal Family. These protocols are established well in advance to ensure seamless transitions during periods of national mourning, much like the highly coordinated responses seen in recent years.

As the report indicates, these specific arrangements are modeled after previous major state events, such as Operation London Bridge for Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and Operation Forth Bridge for Prince Philip. These operations dictate everything from the timing of the procession to the scale of the security presence required to manage the public and the media.

This established system of planning means that even as a member's public standing changes, the bureaucratic machinery of the state often continues to operate based on long-standing protocols. This creates a tension between the rigid nature of government planning and the fluid, often controversial, reality of royal life.

Gloria Allred and Alicia Kearns demand the revocation of royal honors

Gloria Allred, a prominent lawyer who has represented 27 victims of Jeffrey Epstein, has publicly questioned the appropriateness of such an honor for the former Duke of York. She argues that providing a high-profile royal funeral would send a deeply hurtful message to those affected by Epstein's crimes.

Political figures have also voiced strong opposition to the continued inclusion of Mountbatten-Windsor in these ceremonial plans. Alicia Kearns, the Tory shadow Home Office minister, has stated that there are no circumstances under which Andrew should receive a royal funeral and has called for the immediate revocation of these arrangements.

Former government minister and royal finance expert Norman Baker has characterized the current arrangement as a significant oversight. Baker emphasizes that because the former Duke of York is now technically a commoner, he should no longer be eligible for the honors typically reserved for working royals.

St George's Chapel and the potential costs of a Windsor ceremony

Royal experts suggest that if a ceremony were to proceed, it would likely take place at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. This historic venue has served as the site for major royal weddings and funerals, including those of both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

A ceremony for the former Duke of York might mirror the scale of the 2002 funeral for Princess Margaret, which featured a 400-strong congregation including 30 members of the royal family. Such an event would likely involve a massive, costly policing and security operation to manage the crowds and protect the site.

Following the service, the interment would likely occur at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore in Windsor. This private cemetery is the final resting place for several royals, including King Edward VIII, and would represent the final stage of a highly choreographed state event.

The unresolved question of pallbearers and taxpayer funding

Several specific logistical details regarding the "bridge plans" remain unverified and subject to intense debate. For instance, it is unclear whether these plans were officially revised in the past year to reflect the loss of his HRH style and prince title in November.

There is also significant uncertainty regarding the ceremonial roles within the service, specifically who would serve as pallbearers. This honor is traditionally granted to servicemen from regiments closely associated with the royal family member, a decision that could become politically fraught in this instance.

Finally,the question of who bears the financial burden remains a point of contention. Critics, including Gloria Allred, have explicitly raised concerns that UK taxpayers should not be expected to fund the significant costs associated with the life or death of a disgraced former royal.