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State & Ceremonial

Gun Salutes take place across the UK to commemorate The Queen’s accession to the throne

Gun Salutes have been taking place across the UK to commemorate the day 67 years ago when Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne.

In London, a 62 round Gun Salute took place at the Tower of London at 1pm. An hour earlier at midday, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41 gun salute in honour of Accession Day at Green Park.

A 21 gun salute was also fired at noon at Edinburgh Castle while reservists from 104 Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 21 gun salute at Cardiff Castle to mark the anniversary.

Back in England, a 21 Gun Salute was fired by the Royal Artillery in York at the Museum Gardens.

The bells of Westminster Abbey also rang out to mark the occasion.

The Queen ascended the throne 67 years ago today. She is marking the day, which is also the anniversary of her father’s death, privately at Sandringham in Norfolk.

The Queen chooses to pass the anniversary of her accession quietly, allowing her to remember the beloved father she lost on that day. She is expected to stay at Sandringham for a few more days before ending her Christmas break there and returning to London.

Elizabeth II is now entering the 68th year of her reign. She became the longest ruling monarch in British history on September 9th 2015 when she overtook her great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, and she is also the longest-lived monarch as well as the only one to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee (in 2017).

She and Prince Philip, the longest-serving and longest-lived consort in British royal history, marked their Platinum wedding anniversary in November 2017, another regal record for them.

Additional reporting by Lydia Starbuck