41 Gun Salute

[calda49]

Yesterday as a mark of respect to Prince Philip there was a 41 gun salute in/on various venues. Can anyone explain to me why that number? What is the significance? Thank you.

[emmie]

Answer: The standard Royal salute is 21-guns and is reserved for Heads of State. When the salute is given from a Royal Park, an extra 20 guns is added, hence the 41-gun salute. There is also a 124-gun salute, which is when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s birthdays occur on the same weekend and is given from the Tower of London.

[roslyn251254]

The traditional number of gun salutes is 21. The number is a multiplication of what the Royal Navy would normally do at sea.

An extra 20 guns is added when the salute is given from a Royal Park or setting. Hence, the 41-gun salute.

[emmie]

not sure if there was more i could have added.

[naomi24]

emmie/Roslyn, a snap moment there. You cross-posted. Good answers both.

[emmie]

thank you Naomi.

[THECORBYLOON]

I'd not heard of a sixty-two gun salute from the Tower of London but it seems twenty are added because it's a Royal Palace and another twenty-one are added as it's in the City of London.

[calda49]

Thank you all for enlightening me. I find our ancient and established traditions fascinating. ( That sounds facetious, but I am serious).

[Jonathan-Joe]

The extra 21 guns may be added for the City of London, but the Tower is actually in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, not in the City.

[emmie]

i merely posted what i looked up.

[Oleanda]

How can the Queen's and the D of E's birthdays occur in the same weekend when hers is in April and his is in June?

[emmie]

It's a tradition that goes back to 1748 and is all about trying to make sure the weather is better for outdoor celebrations. The Queen has two birthdays - her real one - on 21 April, as she was born on 21 April 1926. Then a second one - the official celebration - on the second Saturday of June