To mark Queen Elizabeth’s passing, 96 gun salutes were fired throughout the UK.
At 1 p.m. in London and around the UK, The Death Gun Salute was fired. It can also be heard at all saluting stations home and abroad.
In London, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery gathered to fire the Death Gun Salute in Hyde Park, while at the same time the Death Gun Salute was fired at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).
To mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, an explosion of 96-round guns salutes was heard across Britain today (photo: Tower of London).
The Death Gun Salute (pictured at Hyde Park) was fired in London at noon, as well as around the UK at saluting stations home and abroad.
One round was fired every 10 seconds, with 96 rounds representing one round for every year of the Queen’s life.
Locations that saw gun salutes included Cardiff Castle and Edinburgh Castle as well as Hillsborough Castle, York, Portsmouth, Gibraltar, and Hillsborough Castle.
The sound of canons firing from nearby Hyde Park resonated around the Palace entrance. Mourners stood still and joined together.
One round was fired every 10 seconds, with 96 rounds representing one round for every year of the Queen’s life (pictured – Edinburgh Castle)
According to the MoD gun salutes are a tradition that has been used throughout the nation for significant national events. It dates back hundreds of years.
Also, gun salutes were held at locations such as Cardiff Castle, Edinburgh Castle (pictured), Hillsborough Castle and York.
Hyde Park is home to 71 horses. 36 will pull six First World War-era, 13-pounder Field guns.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is a British Army mounted ceremonial unit that fires royal salutes on royal anniversaries and state occasions, such as state visits and royal birthdays.
HAC is the oldest regiment of the British Army, dating back to 1537.
In 1924, it took over firing gun salutes at the Tower of London.
Firearm salutes, on land as well as at sea, are customarily used to show respect or welcome.
Hyde Park will welcome 71 horses, 36 of whom pulled six First World War-era Field Guns 13-pounders.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is a British Army mounted ceremonial unit that fires royal salutes on royal anniversaries and state occasions, such as state visits and royal birthdays
As the sounds of the canons being fired in Hyde Park, nearby, reverberated around Palace’s entrances, mourners gathered from all over the country.
Similar gun salutes were issued to celebrate Queen Victoria’s passing in 1901. Winston Churchill was killed in 1965.
Today, gun salutes commemorate special events on specific days in the year. Many of these occasions are associated with royalty.
Gun salutes occur on royal anniversaries including Accession Day, the Queen’s birthday, Coronation Day, the Queen’s official birthday, the state opening of Parliament, royal births and when a visiting head of state meets the Queen in London, Windsor or Edinburgh.
According to the MoD, the practice of firing gun salutes across the country in order to commemorate significant events goes back hundreds of years. Historical records show that salutes were used as far as the 14th Century when ammunition and guns became widely adopted.
Similar gun salutes were used to commemorate Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, and Winston Churchill’s in 1965.