Edinburgh Castle among UK venues holding gun salutes for Prince Philip
Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday
A gun salute will take place at Edinburgh Castle this afternoon to mark the death of HRH Prince Philip.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday in the Scottish capital, as well as in London, Cardiff and Belfast as well as Gibraltar and from Royal Navy Warships.
Gun salutes have been fired to mark significant national events since as early as at least the 18th century.
They were used to mark the deaths of Queen Victoria in 1901 and Winston Churchill in 1965.
The public is being encouraged to observe the gun salutes, which will be broadcast online and on television, from home.
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the most senior officer in the Royal Navy, added to the tributes to Philip.
In a statement released on Saturday morning, he said: “His genuine empathy, affection and engagement with the Royal Navy resonated with us all.
“His generous spirit, his delight in all aspects of the Naval Service, and his deep understanding of our values, standards and ethos made him such a close friend to the Service for over eight decades.”
In London, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will ride out from their base at Napier Lines, Woolwich Barracks, onto the Parade Ground.
There will be 71 horses, 36 of them pulling six 13-pounder field guns dating from the First World War.
The same guns were also fired for Philip's wedding to the Queen in 1947 and at her Coronation six years later in 1953.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was a constant supporter and ambassador of the armed forces.
“We celebrate his life of service and offer our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family.”