Following his cancer diagnosis last month, King Charles III's funeral arrangements are being regularly updated, it has been reported. The New Zealand Herald reported that plans for the funeral had begun the day after the late Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest in 2022.

An old royal friend told the publication that "everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really unwell".

The aides to King Charles III are always poring over copies of his official funeral plans, also called "Operation Menai Bridge". The multi-hundred-page document was drafted on September 8, 2022, the day following Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

According to Daily Beast, there have been frequent updates to Operation Menai Bridge following King Charles's declining health. Every member of the monarchy has their funeral arrangements set, which are named after well-known bridges and updated on a regular basis. The plan for the Queen's funeral was known as "Operation London Bridge".

Also Read: King Charles to resume public duties after cancer treatment

An aide told local media, “It’s not an emotional thing, it’s a job, one taken very seriously, and understandably no one plans to get caught out."

This February, King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. Last month, he was seen mingling with bystanders and shaking hands following an Easter service at Windsor Castle.

The king has carried on his official responsibilities, which include meeting with the prime minister and going over official documents. However, it was thought that his attendance at a traditional royal function such as the Easter service marked the start of a carefully planned comeback to the public eye.

Charles had a difficult task ahead of him when he succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth II: proving that the 1,000-year-old monarchy is still relevant in a contemporary country where people come from all over the world. The king is still trying to define himself in the eyes of the public after less than two years in power as he works to convince youth and members of marginalized communities that the royal family can speak for them.

Even though the king tried to restrict contact in order to lower his risk of infection while undergoing treatment, the palace made a concerted effort to keep him in the spotlight.