The Royal Gun Salute in Green Park
The Green Park

Royal Gun Salutes

Royal Gun Salutes mark special royal occasions.

On these days salutes are fired from locations in London and other authorised stations in the United Kingdom and the Union flag is hoisted on government buildings.

In London, salutes are fired in The Green Park or Hyde Park by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at The Tower of London. 

The number of rounds fired in a Royal Gun Salute depends on the place and occasion. The basic salute is 21 rounds. In Hyde Park and The Green Park an extra 20 rounds are added because they are a Royal Park.

Gun salutes are usually fired at midday (unless otherwise stated below). Salutes are not fired on Sundays, so if the date falls on a Sunday, the salute will take place the next day.

For press accreditation you must contact the Ministry of Defence in advance here.

Royal Gun Salutes

Date: 6 May

Event details: Celebrating King Charles III's coronation.

Location: The Green Park

Date: 15 June 

Event details: It has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer. Fired at 12:52 pm

Location: The Green Park

Date: 17 July

Event details: Celebrating the birthday of the Queen.

Location: The Green Park

Date: 9 September

Event details: Celebrating King Charles III's accession to the throne.

Location: Hyde Park

Date: 10 November

Event details: Guns will be fired twice to mark the beginning and end of a two minutes silence. One at the start at 11:00am, and one at the end at 11:02am.

Location: Horse Guards Parade

Date: 14 November

Event details: Fired at 12:00pm.

Location: The Green Park

Date: TBC

Event details: For London state visits a 41 gun Royal Salute will be fired. Timings vary.

Location: The Green Park