Gun salutes across the UK mark HM The King’s 75th birthday

Military gun salutes sounded across the UK today (14 November) to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s 75th birthday.

In London, The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery and The Honourable Artillery Company each fired celebratory Royal Salutes at 12 noon and 1pm respectively.

The soldiers, horses and Guns of The King’s Troop rode out from their forward mounting base, through Canada Gate to position their guns for the salute in The Green Park.

The Gunners wore full dress uniform which includes gold braided jackets and busby hats. The guns are the Regiment’s colours and so are afforded due respect throughout the route.

Shortly before midday, 71 horses pulling six First World War era 13-pounder Field Guns entered Green Park over the grass, placing the guns into position for the Royal Salute beside the six pre-positioned ammunition boxes. 

The guns were quickly detached, the horses escorted to a safe area, and, on the word of command, each of the six guns fired blank artillery rounds at ten-second intervals until forty-one shots had been fired, each sending a blast.

Shortly after Midday, four twenty-five pounder Artillery Guns were drawn by the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) Regiment’s liveried Pinzgauer vehicles through The City, from Armoury House in Artillery Gardens (which has been the Regiment’s home since 1641), to The Tower of London.

The Guns were placed into position on Tower Wharf facing the River Thames, by Army Reserve soldiers from the HAC.

At precisely 1pm, on the word of command, a 62 Gun Royal Salute was fired, each round firing from one of the four Guns in turn, at ten second intervals, the sound reverberating from the Tower battlements, until 62 rounds had been fired.

In the North of England, at York Museum Gardens, a 21 Gun Royal Salute was fired by a saluting troop of three light guns from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery with music by the British Army Band Catterick.

The event was hosted by The Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations for the North of England and Yorkshire & The Humber. Inspecting Officer was Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Johanna Ropner.

In Scotland, gun salutes were fired simultaneously today at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles to mark the 75th Birthday of His Majesty The King.

Despite the ‘dreich’ Scottish weather, visitors and onlookers were able to view a unique and pristine ceremonial event, marking another historic moment.

Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland took up ceremonial guard at Edinburgh Castle in advance of the events, accompanied by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Band SCOTS).

Band SCOTS provided musical support again by leading out 16 Regiment Royal Artillery, who fired the gun salute. A solo piper from the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland performing led out the Reviewing Officer, The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms.

The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms said:

“I couldn’t be more privileged to be the Reviewing Officer at the Gun Salute for His Majesty The King's 75th Birthday. It was a wonderful day here in Edinburgh Castle seeing the armed services at their best."

“The Gun Salutes went off in an exemplary fashion and feeling that real sense of pride in our soldiers involved today; and more so at the Castle itself, part of our great Scottish Tradition, was fantastic.”

He also added:

“Don’t let anybody tell you the weather put us off because it did not. It was typical cold and wet Scottish weather, but the sun was still shining seeing the ceremonial activity and pride of our soldiers taking part in Scotland.”

We are honoured once again to be at Royal Hillsborough to fire a 21 Gun Royal Salute on the occasion of the 75th Birthday of HM The King.”Capt Joshua McKee,
206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery

16 Regiment Royal Artillery also provided the saluting troop for Stirling Castle.

Northern Ireland’s 75th birthday tribute to HM The King took place at Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of HM The King in NI.

This was carried out by reservists from 206 (Ulster) Battery, part of 105th Regiment Royal Artillery, headquartered in Edinburgh. The salute was taken by Lord Caledon, KCVO, Lord Lieutenant of County Armagh.

Captain Joshua McKee, Troop Commander, 206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery said:

“We are honoured once again to be at Royal Hillsborough to fire a 21 Gun Royal Salute on the occasion of the 75th Birthday of HM The King."

“Our Reservists from Coleraine and Newtownards are very well rehearsed after a busy saluting season, and we look forward to conducting our ceremonial duties again next year.”

In Wales, a Royal Gun Salute to mark the 75th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III was fired at Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff, by Reservists from 104th Regiment Royal Artillery

The Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Morfudd Meredith, took the salute alongside the head of the Army in Wales, Brigadier Nick Thomas CBE, and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Bablin Molik.

The Regimental Band and Corps of drums of the Royal Welsh played music before and after the firing of the 105mm light guns. 

Farrier Major Mark Holland and Corporal Emrys Forlan Jones, the Regimental Welsh mountain pony of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, who was recently promoted by the Princess of Wales, was also in attendance with Shetland pony Pegasus, the Regimental mascot of The Parachute Regiment.