Gun salutes are often featured in Royal events. (Picture: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
King Charles III is celebrating his second Trooping the Colour as monarch today – June 15.
The occasion is marked by a parade through London to Buckingham Palace by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, with the King and Queen set to inspect the troops from a horse-drawn carriage.
As is traditional, after taking the Royal Salute and inspecting the troops, the King will take to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast from the Red Arrows, alongside other members of the Royal Family.
Follow the latest Trooping the Colour updates on our live blog
This year’s event marks Kate Middleton’s return to public life, for her first official appearance since Christmas Day 2023, after her cancer diagnosis in January.
Gun salutes are often used to mark royal occasions, and are set to feature in today’s occasion.
But what exactly is the traditional gun salute, and why did the King receive one? Here is what you need to know.
What time will the 2024 gun salutes happen?
The King’s Troop Royal House Artillery will cap off the proceedings with a 41-round gun salute in Green Park at 12.52pm.
A gun salute will also take place at the wharf at the Tower of London at 1pm today, consisting of 62 rounds.
Historic Royal Places warns that ‘the Wharf closes at least an hour before the gun salute, and there is no access to parts of the Wharf during the set up and duration of the gun salute.’
The gun salutes are part of military tradition (Picture: Kate Green/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Why do gun salutes happen?
The gun salute is a conventional military honour which is used at significant royal events such as birthdays, anniversaries and funerals.
The salutes are used as a sign of respect or to issue a welcome.
Military tradition dictates that an even number of rounds are fired for funerals, and an odd number of rounds are fired for every other occasion.
The total number of rounds fired varies based on the occasion and location, but the standard number of rounds discharged is 21 which can then be added to.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery are responsible for performing the tradition (Picture: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)
For example, gun salutes taking place at Green Park and Hyde Park feature an additional 20 rounds because both spots are designated as Royal Parks.
The salute is recognised by many nations across the world and is regarded as one of the biggest honours that can be afforded to someone.
Where does the gun salute come from?
The gun salute hails from the pioneering days of sailing in the 15th century.
Ships on friendly visits to ports would discharge their guns towards the direction of the sea, in order to signify to those onshore that they posed no risk.
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The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who are responsible for performing the gun salute, was formed after the Second World War by Royal Decree to have ‘a Mounted Battery to fire salutes on state occasions, dressed in the traditional style.’
The Royal Horse Artillery used to be known as The Riding Troop, until Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, renamed it by crossing out the word ‘Riding’ in the visitor’s book and replacing it with ‘King’s’.
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