ROYAL fans flocking to London this weekend can catch a very special military honour for the King’s birthday.
King Charles III celebrates his 78th birthday today (November 14), and to mark the occasion the Tower of London will fire off a special gun salute.
Visitors can catch the action from viewing spots on the Tower Wharf, next to the Gun Park outside the Tower and looking over the River Thames.
The gun salute will start at 1pm today and will fire 62 rounds of blanks from four 25 pounder guns.
It is free to watch, but be aware the Wharf will close to non-authorised personnel at least an hour before the salute.
There will be no access to parts of the Wharf during the set-up and duration of the firing, which is being carried out by the Honourable Artillery Company.
There is a long and proud history of the gun salute, used to celebrate special days in the Royal Family including birthdays and anniversaries.
Royal salutes take place across London and in other parts of the UK to mark the occasion. In the capital, Hyde Park and Green Park are also used by gunners.
“Just as an open hand salute was used historically to demonstrate that no weapon was being held, a gun salute indicated the friendly intent of an empty ammunition chamber,” the Royals website explains.
The next scheduled gun salutes after the King’s birthday are for Coronation Day on May 6, 2027 followed by Charles’ Official Birthday (Trooping the Colour) on June 12.
Queen Camilla’s birthday on July 17 will also be marked by a gun salute, as will Accession Day on September 8.
Guns will be fired for the State Opening of Parliament next summer, as well as any state visits in the next few months.
