Queen Elizabeth Is Honored with Gun Salutes Across the United Kingdom

Janine Henni
·2 min read
1
Queen Elizabeth Is Honored with Gun Salutes Across the United Kingdom
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The national tributes begin to honor Queen Elizabeth.

Gun salutes boomed in London on Friday afternoon, with 96 rounds fired from the Tower of London and Hyde Park starting at 1 p.m. local time. One round was ceremoniously discharged for each year of the Queen's life, Buckingham Palace said.

Rounds were also released in the late royal's honor across the United Kingdom, including over Cardiff Castle in Wales, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands, according to the AFP.

The tradition dates back to the 15th century, with firearms shot as a sign of military respect or to mark a milestone, such as the birth of a royal baby, according to the British Army. The presentation of arms typically occurs at midday.

For more on Queen Elizabeth, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

Gun salutes most recently rang out in the Queen's honor for her 96th birthday on April 21 in London and Windsor, Reuters reported.

Members of the Honourable Artillery Company during the Gun Salute at the Tower of London
Members of the Honourable Artillery Company during the Gun Salute at the Tower of London

James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images

When her husband, Prince Philip, died at age 99 in April 2021, a gun salute was also held in his name at Edinburgh Castle, The Tower of London, Cardiff Castle, Hillsborough Castle and at sea.

On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth died at age 96 at her beloved Balmoral Castle.

RELATED: Queen Elizabeth, the Longest-Reigning British Monarch, Dies at 96

Members of the Honourable Artillery Company, British Army, arrive for the Death Gun Salute that will be fired at the Tower of London
Members of the Honourable Artillery Company, British Army, arrive for the Death Gun Salute that will be fired at the Tower of London

GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," officials said in a statement. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

The Queen's eldest son immediately ascended in the line of succession upon her death, becoming King Charles III. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will also now be styled as Queen Consort, an honor Queen Elizabeth directly expressed her wishes for in February.

Charles, 73, was further referred to as "His Majesty, the King" on letterhead from Buckingham Palace, in his first statement as monarch following the death of his mother.

Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II

MICHAEL KAPPELER/DDP/AFP via Getty

"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," King Charles said.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother," he continued. "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," the King concluded.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (wearing the uniform of Colonel of the Welsh Guards) and Queen Elizabeth II watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 2, 2022 in London, England. Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen's Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

RELATED: Queen Elizabeth's Life in Photos: See the Most Iconic Moments from Her Historic Reign

On Friday, the new monarch will meet with the newly elected Prime Minister Liz Truss and deliver a speech to the nation at 6 p.m. local time.