As is tradition, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) punctuated the day with salutes in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London, respectively….reports Asian Lite News
Britain commemorated the second anniversary of King Charles III’s accession to the throne with a series of gun salutes across the country. In a display of tradition and reverence, ceremonial gunfire echoed from locations such as the Tower of London and Hyde Park, honouring the moment King Charles took on the mantle of monarchy following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The British Army marked the second anniversary of His Majesty King Charles III’s accession with a stirring display of ceremonial gunfire today, honouring the occasion with two grand Royal Salutes in the capital.
As is tradition, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) punctuated the day with salutes in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London, respectively.
At precisely 12 noon, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, supported by the Band of the Welsh Guards. The ceremonial unit, renowned for its precision and pageantry, deployed 71 horses pulling six First World War-era 13-pounder field guns across the park. The Troop, dressed in full ceremonial uniform, expertly positioned their guns and began firing blank artillery rounds at ten-second intervals, each blast sending a puff of white smoke into the sky.
Spectators lined the park to witness the moment, many reflecting on the King’s two years on the throne, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. The ceremony evoked memories of the Death Gun salutes fired to mark the passing of Her Late Majesty, a poignant reminder of the continuity of the monarchy.
The Honourable Artillery Company followed suit at 1pm with a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London. Three 105mm Light Guns, manned by Army Reserve soldiers, were fired from Tower Wharf, sending booming echoes across the River Thames. The HAC, the oldest regiment in the British Army, brought its centuries-old traditions to life as white smoke billowed against the historic backdrop of the Tower.
Although His Majesty officially acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, today’s ceremonies took place in accordance with tradition, as gun salutes are customarily delayed to the Monday when they fall on a Sunday. Both regiments played prominent roles in the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of King Charles III, cementing their place in the country’s ceremonial life.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, formed by King George VI in 1947, is world-renowned for its ceremonial excellence, and also plays an operational role in the Royal Artillery. Likewise, the Honourable Artillery Company, though steeped in history, continues to maintain a modern role in reconnaissance, ensuring that these regiments are not just ceremonial units but vital contributors to the nation’s defence.
Today’s gun salutes were not just a reflection of the King’s first two years but a powerful display of Britain’s ability to blend tradition with modernity—honouring the past while serving the present.
Members of the Royal Family, including Queen Camilla, are observing the anniversary privately at Balmoral, where Queen Elizabeth spent her final days. Across the nation, public buildings are flying flags at half-mast, and members of the public are reflecting on the two years of King Charles’ reign, which has seen him navigate a changing Britain while upholding the centuries-old values of the monarchy.
As Britain marks this significant date, the gun salutes stand as a reminder of both the deep-rooted history of the monarchy and the evolving role King Charles III has embraced in modern Britain.
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