Royal Gun Salutes
Royal Gun Salutes mark special royal occasions. On these days salutes are fired from locations in London and other authorised stations in the United Kingdom and the Union flag is hoisted on government buildings.
In London, salutes are fired in Hyde Park and at The Tower of London however, on State Visits, at the State Opening of Parliament and for The Queen's Birthday Parade, The Green Park is used instead of Hyde Park.
The number of rounds fired in a Royal Gun Salute depends on the place and occasion. The basic salute is 21 rounds. In Hyde Park and Green Park an extra 20 rounds are added because they are a Royal Park.
Royal Gun Salutes in Hyde Park
Salutes are fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery (41 Gun Royal Salute) in Hyde Park at 12.00 noon. They occur on the following Royal anniversaries, however gun salutes are not fired on Sundays, so if the date falls on a Sunday, the salute will take place the next day.
- 6 February - Accession Day, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne
- 21 April - Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen
- 2 June - Coronation Day, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's coronation
- 10 June - Birthday of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Royal Gun Salutes in The Green Park
June - Official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer. Fired at 1100 hours. Times will vary.
April/July/November - For London state visits a 41 Gun Royal Salute will be fired, timings vary.
November/December - State Opening of Parliament. A 41 Gun Royal Salute will be fired at 1108 hours.
November - Remembrance Sunday. A 2 Gun Salute will be fired on Horse Guards Parade one at the start of the 2 minutes silence at 11.00am and one at the end at 11.02am.
