The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery Royal Salute

While on a recent visit to London I was honored to attend Prince Philip, HRH Duke of Edinburgh's, 98th birthday royal salute in Hyde Park.  The salute was performed at noon on a rainy Monday by the precision Royal Horse Artillery. 

Pulling World War One vintage 13-pound field guns and caissons, six teams of six black horses charged across the Hyde Park green to the accompaniment of a military band.  At their line of fire, the gun crews rapidly dismount, unlimber the artillery and ready the guns to fire, as the horse handlers swiftly move the caissons and horses to the rear.

 As the clock struck noon the unit commander gave the command for gun-one to fire, repeating the fire command every ten-seconds down the gun line from gun one to six, looping the command until a 41-gun salute had been rendered to Prince Philip.

At the conclusion of the salute the horse handlers returned across the field where the gun crews rapidly limbered the guns, mounted the horses and stormed off the green to the cheers of the spectators.  At this point the military band formed up and march away playing a rousing tune.

What a great experience.  I just happened to be in London at the right time and was lucky enough to have a local Londoner alert me of the when and where of the royal salute.