Edinburgh Castle marks Queen’s ascension to throne

A 21-GUN salute has been fired from Edinburgh Castle today, to mark the 61st anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.

Along with Edinburgh Castle, salutes were fired by the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery in London’s Green Park, and the Honourable Artillery Company at Gun Wharf at the Tower of London.

The monarch marked the anniversary privately at Sandringham - a sombre reminder of the day she became Queen following her father King George VI’s death.

He died on 5 February 1952 at the Norfolk royal estate following a battle with lung cancer.

The Queen, as a rule, does not attend public engagements on the day of her accession, instead choosing to reflect in private.

Later this year, she will mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation.