Mourning in Great Britain: cannon volleys in honor of Prince Philip

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London: Gun salute on the Thames

Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

In honor of Prince Philips, gun salutes were fired in all parts of the United Kingdom and in Gibraltar on Saturday.

Among others at the Tower in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Several warships on the high seas also paid their last respects to the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 99, with cannon shots.

A total of 41 shots should be fired over a period of 40 minutes.

The flags on all government buildings are flying at half mast.

This should remain so until the morning after the burial of the Prince Consort.

Meanwhile, more and more members of the British royal family were reportedly arriving at Windsor Castle.

After Prince Charles, 72, heir to the throne, Prince Edward, 57, and his wife Countess Sophie were also spotted arriving on Saturday.

"The Queen was impressive," the 56-year-old said to reporters with tears in her eyes as she and Edward left Windsor Castle.

According to a BBC report, Charles had already rushed to his mother in Windsor on Friday, who had said she was "deeply saddened" in a message.

Details of the funeral service were expected on Saturday.

It is expected to be held at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

Because of the Corona rules, only 30 guests are allowed to participate instead of the originally planned 800.

The date is still unclear, but according to the original plans, next Saturday should be an option.

British media speculate that Prince Harry, 36, will also travel from the USA for this.

He could probably be exempted from the quarantine rules for travelers.

However, it is unclear whether the royals will use the opportunity for a reconciliation.

Harry had especially fallen out with his brother Prince William, 38, and his father Charles.

At the center of the dispute are allegations by Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan, 39, about a lack of consideration for the couple and even racist remarks within the family.

Prince Philip died on Friday morning two months before his 100th birthday at Windsor Castle.

In November he and the Queen celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

The couple had spent the past year withdrawn from the corona pandemic at Windsor Castle.

On the recommendation of the British Football Association, a minute's silence should be observed at all football matches on Saturday and players should wear black armbands.

Two minutes of silence were also planned for the Grand National horse race.

Pope Francis has also expressed condolences to the Queen on the death of Prince Philip.

The head of the Catholic Church received the news with sadness, it said in a telegram that the Vatican published in Rome on Saturday.

In it, Francis recalled the “prince's devotion to his marriage and family” and his public commitment to the education and promotion of the younger generations.

The letter was reportedly signed by the top Vatican diplomat, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

wit / dpa / AFP