Prince Philip honoured by gun salutes across UK as nation mourns Queen’s husband

Gun salutes have been fired in tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died peacefully in his sleep at Windsor Castle on Friday April 9.

Saluting batteries have started firing 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Rounds were also fired from Royal Navy warships HMS Diamond, HMS Montrose and HMNB Portsmouth.

Gibraltar’s Regiment also joined the salute from the British overseas territory in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh’s naval career.

Prince Philip attended the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth where he went on to be named “best cadet” before taking command of HMS Magpie.

With Britain at war in 1940, he joined the Royal Navy, serving as a midshipman on HMS Ramillies, and was posted to the Indian Ocean.

The Duke of Edinburgh was also a midshipman aboard HMS Valiant off the southern coast of Greece.

He was praised for his actions in the Battle of Cape Matapan against an Italian fleet in March 1941 and, shortly afterwards, he was awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour.

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By 21, he was made First Lieutenant and second-in-command of a ship – the destroyer escort HMS Wallace of the Rosyth Escort Force.

Prince Philip was dispatched to the Mediterranean, then the pacific, where he served on HMS Whelp, helping to rescue two airmen in 1945.

The men reportedly did not know the identity of their saviour until they were told he kept a picture of the then Princess Elizabeth in his cabin.

Prince Philip married the Queen on 20 November 1947 and stood by her side as Her Majesty’s “rock” for 73-years.

Just after midday on April 9, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Philip, issuing a statement that invited the world to grieve the Royal Family’s loss.

The palace said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

Union flags were flown at half mast at all royal residences as a mark of respect and Westminster Abbey tolled its tenor bell once every 60 seconds, 99 times.

Prince Philip’s funeral is expected to take place at St George’s Chapel with his close family in attendance.

Further details about the event are expected to be released later this weekend, but the Duke of Edinburgh will not have a state funeral as was his wish.