I wouldn´t put anything past them...it´s their ruthlessness and expert mass>manipulation that has kept them in power for centuries.

As for ´the queen´, it crossed my mind that maybe the old hag died months ago and a double was in her place till they decided on the best time to announce the news. Or maybe they just bumped her off when it suited them. The timing seems convenient anyway...her passing would´ve been far too important for them to leave it up to chance. Best that it happen at an opportune time where its propaganda value can be milked for all it´s worth.
Who knows what goes on behind the scenes...she managed to go 70 years in the public spotlight without hardly any of her real personal opinions coming to light so god knows what dark secrets lie behind the walls of all those palaces!