‘Spectacular’ gun salute marks the Queen’s first birthday since being crowned
A traditional gun salute in London marked the Queen’s first birthday since being crowned.
The “spectacular” 41-gun salute for Her Majesty’s 76th birthday was performed by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery Battery in Green Park, central London, at noon.
It was followed at 1pm by a 62-gun Royal Salute from Tower Wharf by the Honourable Artillery Company.
A rendition of Happy Birthday was performed by the Band of the Irish Guards during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace earlier in the day.
During the gun salute in Green Park, a soldier on horseback fell from his horse as it stumbled.
A total of 71 horses and riders rode from Hyde Park Corner to Green Park, pulling six First World War-era field guns into position for the salute.
On the word of command, each of the six guns fired blank artillery rounds at 10-second intervals until all 41 shots were fired. The Band of the Coldstream Guards performed during the event.
Members of the public were urged to avoid walking dogs in Green Park around the time of the gun salute, which can be “very loud and startling” to the animals.
The Queen was last seen on Thursday during a visit to St Ives, in Cornwall, with the King, where they were cheered by waiting crowds.
She also made a surprise trip to Wimbledon with her sister Annabel Elliot on Wednesday, watching the tennis on Centre Court from the Royal Box.
