Armed Forces celebrate royal birth with gunfire and cheers

The Armed Forces are celebrating the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child in fine style across the world today.

As is customary with the birth of a British prince, royal salutes will be fired across the capital. In Green Park, members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will fire a 41-gun salute from their 13-pounder quick-fire guns, which were all used in action in the First World War. The guns will be pulled into action by teams of 6 horses.

And, over at the Tower of London, the Honourable Artillery Company, an Army Reserves unit, and the oldest in the British Army, will fire 62 rounds over the River Thames to mark the happy occasion.

*The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a 41-gun royal salute in Green Park (library image) [Picture: Sergeant Adrian Harlen, Crown copyright]*

Major Mark Edward, Commanding Officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, said:

The opportunity to mark the birth of the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by firing a 41-gun royal salute comes as a huge honour for the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Celebrations are not confined to London however, as all of Her Majesty’s Ships – in home or international waters – are flying the Royal Navy Ensign from their main mast to mark the birth of the prince.

Ensigns were proudly flown by HMS Kent, on operations in the Middle East, and by HMS Lancaster, currently deployed on Atlantic Patrol Task (North) in the Caribbean. The 2 ships’ companies added their own special congratulatory message to the Duke and Duchess by forming up to spell the word ‘BOY’ on the ships’ decks.