By Ben Kerrigan
Gun salutes of 41 rounds were fired in cities including London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and at Hillsborough Castle in County Down, in memory of Prince Philip, who died on Friday at Windsor Castle. He was 99.
Royal Navy ships at sea, including HMS Diamond and HMS Montrose, are also firing the salute in honour of the duke, who served as a naval officer during World War Two and held the office of Lord High Admiral.
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Hundreds of well wishers lined Tower Bridge in London, where members of the Honourable Artillery Company fired rounds from guns facing the Thames.
Announcing the duke’s death on Friday, Buckingham Palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
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On Saturday, the Royal Family’s Twitter account shared a photograph of the Queen and her husband, along with a quote from a speech she made on their golden wedding anniversary in 1997 in which she described him as having been her “strength and stay all these years”.
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Tony Radakin, the most senior officer in the Royal Navy, praised the duke’s “empathy, affection and engagement” with the fleet.
“His deep understanding of our values, standards and ethos made him such a close friend to the service for over eight decades,” he said.
Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, who held the position from 2009 to 2013, described Prince Philip on BBC Radio 4, as an “extremely talented sailor” who was “never shy” when it came to telling first sea lords where he thought they were going wrong.
And Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Sir Mark’s predecessor, told BBC Breakfast that Saturday’s military tributes were “a way you say goodbye to great sailors”.
The duke was “constantly modernising” and “a great believer that the services have to reflect the society they serve”, he added.
General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the duke had been a “great friend, inspiration and role model” for the armed forces.
“A life well lived, His Royal Highness leaves us with a legacy of indomitable spirit, steadfastness and an unshakeable sense of duty,”
The funeral will take place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, but the arrangements have been amended in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the College of Arms said in a statement.
The duke will not have a state funeral and there will be no lying-in-state, in line with his wishes, it added.
Members of the public are “regretfully” requested not to attend due to the pandemic, and it is understood the Queen is considering modified funeral and ceremonial arrangements.
All UK government buildings have been told to fly official flags at half-mast in tribute to the duke until 08:00 on the day after the duke’s funeral.
Ahead of the Grand National later, a two-minute silence will be held at Aintree Racecourse in memory of the duke, who was an honorary member of the Jockey Club.
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