LONDON, April 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Military guns will be fired across Britain and sporting events will fall silent on Saturday as part of worldwide tributes to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip.
Philip, the longest serving royal consort in British history and a constant presence at the queen’s side for decades, died on Friday aged 99, triggering a period of national mourning.
The death of the Duke of Edinburgh is a profound loss for the 94-year-old monarch, who once described him as her “strength and stay all these years.”
Flags are already flying at half-mast on government buildings and will do so until the morning after his funeral, the date of which has yet to be announced.
From 12:00 pm (1100 GMT), saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds – one round a minute for 40 minutes – in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well as in Gibraltar and from Royal Navy warships at sea.
The Premier League and other sporting events are expected to pay their respects, with the Football Association recommending that black armbands be worn and a minute’s silence observed before this weekend’s matches.
A two-minute silence will be held ahead of Saturday’s Grand National, the country’s showpiece horse race.
The well-rehearsed protocol for the duke’s death – codenamed “Forth Bridge” – includes the recall of parliament on Monday.
British television stations cleared their schedules for special broadcasts looking back on his life.
Westminster Abbey, where the couple married in 1947, tolled its tenor bell 99 times on Friday, once for each year of the prince’s life.
Political campaigning for May local elections stopped, and Loyalist leaders in Northern Ireland, who have been rioting for days amid heightening political tensions in the British province, urged a pause in violence on Friday.
The call – “as a mark of respect to the Queen” – was largely heeded.
Philip – who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in June – had been ill for some time, and spent more than a month in hospital from February 16 being treated for a pre-existing heart condition and an infection.
Despite looking frail on his release from hospital on March 16, hopes were raised for his recovery.
But the queen announced Philip’s passing “with deep sorrow” after he died peacefully on Friday morning at Windsor Castle, west of London.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss,” a palace statement said.
Tributes came in from home and abroad, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving “thanks, as a nation and a kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip.”
Political and faith leaders in Britain, and from the United States, Europe and Commonwealth countries including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and Pakistan also paid their respects.
Philip is expected to be buried at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, according to the royal College of Arms, at a date to be determined. — NNN-AGENCIES
