IN HER HONOUR
Incredible 96-gun salute rings out across Britain to honour Queen’s life
A POIGNANT gun salute rang out across London today to mark the Queen's incredible 96 years.
The nation has united in grief following Her Majesty's tragic death yesterday in Balmoral.
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The stunned silence shared by Brits at her passing was broken at 1pm today as the Death Gun Salute exploded from Hyde Park.
One round was fired every ten seconds - with 96 shots in total to represent a year of the Queen's life.
The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery left their base at Wellington Barracks, which is next to Buckingham Palace, this afternoon.
A procession of 71 horses then made its way up Birdcage Walk, past the Queen Victoria Memorial, up Constitution Hill and into Hyde Park.
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The First World War-era 13-pounder field guns were pulled by 36 of the horses.
The six guns were then placed facing towards the Queen's London residence where thousands have gathered to pay tribute.
There was also a separate gun salute at the Tower of London as commemorations take place across the UK.
The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) wore ceremonial attire as they blasted the guns towards the river.
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Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace MP said: “The sad passing today of Her Majesty The Queen will be felt by every member of her Armed Forces.
“Her Majesty was more than their Commander in Chief, she was their guardian. She was deeply involved in championing their welfare and supporting them before, during and after operations.
“She dedicated her life to serving her Nation.
“The motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is ‘Serve to Lead’. The Queen’s lifetime was a living embodiment of that.”
The salute comes after King Charles III left Balmoral this morning to begin his first day as the new monarch.
Charles was accompanied on the sombre journey by Camilla, who is now the Queen Consort.
Both looked emotional as they were driven to Aberdeen Airport, where they boarded a plane to London.
King Charles will make his first address to the nation later today in a televised recording.
He is expected to pay tribute to Britain's longest reigning monarch and pledge his duty to a life of service in a televised speech.
The royals have entered a period of mourning that will be observed from today until seven days after the Queen's funeral.
Parliament will hear tributes from MPs and peers from 12pm today in a special session of condolence.
The PM and senior ministers will attend a public service of remembrance at St Paul's at 6pm tonight.
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Charles automatically became King after Her Majesty's passing but the new role will be made official on Saturday.
This will take place at St James's Palace in London with a public proclamation of the new sovereign read from the Friary Court balcony.
The pomp and ceremony comes after King Charles led the royals in paying tribute to his beloved mum in a touching statement.
He said: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
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"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
WHERE THE GUN SALUTES TOOK PLACE
Belfast, Hillsborough Castle - 105th Regiment Royal Artillery
Cardiff, Cardiff Castle - 104th Regiment Royal Artillery
Colchester - 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle - 105th Regiment Royal Artillery
Gibraltar - The Royal Gibraltar Regiment
London, Hyde Park - The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery
London, HM Tower of London - The Honourable Artillery Company
Larkhill, Stonehenge - 14th Regiment Royal Artillery
Portsmouth - Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth
Plymouth - Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport
York - 4th Regiment Royal Artillery
In central London the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, a ceremonial regiment, marched past Buckingham Palace to the south east corner of Hyde Park in a procession of 71 horses with six First World War-era 13-pounder field guns.
The guns were spaced 10m apart and fired in the direction of Buckingham Palace.
At sea the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth led the salute from UK waters. The 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier set sail this week for New York.
She was joined across UK waters by the amphibious assault ship HMS Albion and the Type 23 frigates HMS Richmond, HMS Westminster and HMS Northumberland.
HMS Lancaster took part from Portugal.
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