Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Australia's Parliament House, British armed forces mark Prince Philip's death with 41-gun salute

Australian Federation Guard fires a 41-gun salute to mark the passing of Prince Philip.

Gun salutes have been fired across Britain and in the forecourt of Parliament House to mark the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

On Saturday afternoon, the Australian Federation Guard fired 41 rounds from six M2A2 105mm howitzer ceremonial guns, in 10-second intervals, to honour the duke, who passed away peacefully on Friday morning at the age of 99.

The Federation Guard is the Australian Defence Force's official tri-service ceremonial unit, made up of members from the Air Force, Navy and Army.

The salute followed the British tradition of firing 21 rounds for a royal salute and an additional 20 rounds when fired from a royal park.

All Commonwealth countries have been invited to fire a 41-gun salute, according to a statement from the Department of Defence.

The British armed forces marked the duke's death on Saturday at noon (local time) with a Death Gun Salute.

Artillery units in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and Gibraltar, and some navy warships, also fired their guns.

Artillery fires across the UK in tribute to Prince Philip

On its official Twitter feed, the royal family put up a tribute paid by the queen to her husband on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997.

Members of the family have been visiting the grieving monarch at Windsor Castle where Philip died on Friday.

"The queen has been amazing," said a tearful Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, as she left with her husband Prince Edward, the youngest son of Elizabeth and Philip.

Buckingham Palace is expected to announce details of the funeral later on Saturday (local time).

A Federation Guard artillery piece fires during the salute. (Supplied: ADF/Kieren Whiteley)

It is likely to be a small, private affair, stripped of the grandeur of traditional royal occasions by COVID-19 restrictions and by the prince's own dislike of people making a fuss.

Despite a request from the royal family for the public to obey pandemic social distancing rules and avoid visits to its residences, people laid cards and bouquets outside Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

Prince Edward arrives at Windsor Castle after his father's death

Australia pays respects to duke

Flags are flying at half-mast across the country and Australians are being invited to sign an online condolence book via the Prime Minister and Cabinet's website.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Governor-General David Hurley will attend a church service in Sydney on Sunday to pay their respects to the duke.

The guns were fired at 10-second intervals.  (Supplied: ADF/Kieren Whiteley)

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Morrison paid tribute to the duke's life of "duty and of service" and extended the sympathies of Australia to Queen Elizabeth II.

"On behalf of the Australian people and the Australian government, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Her Majesty and the royal family to the passing of the Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh," Mr Morrison said.

"The duke's life was one of duty and of service, of loyalty and honour. Memories of him will, of course, tell stories of his candour, and a unique and forceful and authentic personality. But above all, he was a man who was steadfast, who could be relied upon, always standing by his Queen."

People gather to watch the 41-gun salute at Parliament House in Canberra.  (AAP: Lukas Coch)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.