Members of the Armed Forces have fired gun salutes across the United Kingdom to mark 70 years of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign.
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Press Release, Whitehall, 07 February 2022: Gun salutes were fired in iconic locations in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Northern Ireland as the country prepares to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
While Accession Day was 6 February, gun salutes do not traditionally take place on a Sunday. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired 41 rounds in Green Park, London at midday today (7 February), with the Honourable Artillery Company firing a gun salute of 62 rounds at The Tower of London.
Gun salutes have taken place across the capital cities of the United Kingdom, with the British Army firing salutes at Edinburgh Castle, Cardiff Castle and Hillsborough Castle. The units involved were:
- 104 Regiment Royal Artillery at Cardiff Castle
- 206 Battery Royal Artillery at Hillsborough Castle – They were supported by the Queen’s University Belfast Officer Training Corps
- 105 Regiment Royal Artillery at Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Navy also fired a gun salute of 21 rounds at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.
A gun salute traditionally comprises 21 rounds. A further 20 rounds are fired in royal parks and palaces, and at The Tower of London a further 21 rounds are fired to show the respect of the City of London for The Queen.
The Armed Forces will be at the heart of celebrations for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this summer, leading The Queen’s Birthday Parade (known as Trooping the Colour) and taking part in The Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
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