By Gun salutes fired up and down the country in memory of Prince Philip
The British military fired gun salutes across the country from land and sea today as a mark of respect for the late Prince Philip, who sadly passed away aged 99 years old yesterday morning.
Warships and the armed forces fired Death Gun Salutes at noon in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Saluting batteries fired 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Ships which took part in the salutes include HMS Montrose, HMS Diamond and HMNB Portsmouth.
The public were encouraged to observe the proceedings by watching them online or on television, rather than gathering in large crowds to watch them in person, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gun salutes marking death of the Duke of Edinburgh taking place across the UK, in Gibraltar and from warships at seahttps://t.co/2mc6FGPFtk pic.twitter.com/DaAIbg8pk0
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 10, 2021
Today at 1200 the military will mark the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh with Gun Salutes across the Nation and at sea.
See below for an explanation what our gun crews will be doing. More info at: https://t.co/XyauTc3Wzn pic.twitter.com/NACtxceH3W
— British Army (@BritishArmy) April 10, 2021
Gun salutes have been fired to mark poignant national events since as early as the 18th century.
They took place when Queen Victoria died in 1901, and Winston Churchill in 1965.
Details of the Duke’s funeral are expected to be released to the public this weekend. It’s known that he would have wanted a “minimum of fuss”, so a state funeral will not go ahead for the late Prince Philip.
A statement from Buckingham Palace reads: “During the coronavirus pandemic, and in light of current Government advice and social distancing guidelines, modified funeral and ceremonial arrangements for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh are being considered by Her Majesty the Queen. Details will be confirmed in due course.”
Speaking at a BBC tribute yesterday evening, all four of the Duke’s children remembered Prince Philip as “always being there” and carrying out his role with “extraordinary flare”.
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