Gun salutes planned across UK

Gun salutes to mark the death of the Duke of Edinburgh are due to take place later across the UK, in Gibraltar and from warships at sea. Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband of 73 years, died on Friday.

Aged 99, he was the longest-serving royal consort in British history. Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute from 12:00 BST in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the Ministry of Defence said.

Royal Navy ships at sea, including HMS Diamond and HMS Montrose, will also fire the salute in honour of the duke, who served as a naval officer during World War Two and held the office of Lord High Admiral.

The salutes will be broadcast online and on TV, and the public are encouraged to observe them from home. Announcing the duke's death on Friday, Buckingham Palace said: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband.

"The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

Reflecting on Prince Philip's life for a BBC programme, the Prince of Wales described his father's life as an "astonishing achievement". General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the duke had been a "great friend, inspiration and role model" for the Armed Forces.

"A life well lived, His Royal Highness leaves us with a legacy of indomitable spirit, steadfastness and an unshakeable sense of duty," Sir Nick said. Similar salutes were fired to mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 and Winston Churchill in 1965.

Final details of the duke's funeral are also expected to be released this weekend.

The funeral will take place at St George's Chapel, Windsor, but the arrangements have been amended in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the College of Arms said in a statement. The duke will not have a state funeral and there will be no lying-in-state, in line with his wishes, it added.

The public are "regretfully" requested not to attend due to the pandemic, and it is understood the Queen is considering modified funeral and ceremonial arrangements. All UK government buildings have been told to fly official flags at half-mast in tribute to the duke until 08:00 on the day after the duke's funeral.

Westminster Abbey tolled its tenor bell once every 60 seconds for 99 times from 18:00 on Friday, to honour each year of the duke's life. And ahead of the Grand National later, a two-minute silence will be held at Aintree Racecourse in memory of the duke, who was an honorary member of the Jockey Club.