A traditional 62-gun royal salute took place in London yesterday (03.06.13) to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.
The Honourable Artillery Company fired the weapons from the Tower of London across the River Thames at 1pm to mark the monarch's reign since she was crowned on June 2, 1953, aged just 27.
The special salute had to be postponed 24 hours as the 60th anniversary was in fact on Sunday (02.06.13), a day of the week when guns are not fired.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery used 71 horses to pull 13 First World War-style field guns into position in Green Park, where a 41-gun salute was fired at midday.
A royal salute is usually 21 guns, increased to 41 rounds if fired from a royal residence, but it can also be 62 if shot from the Tower of London on a royal anniversary.
Elizabeth spent yesterday in private, but later today (04.06.13) she will attend a service for 2,000 guests in Westminster Abbey, where they will gather to celebrate the anniversary of her coronation.
Tagged in Queen Elizabeth