GUN salutes have been fired across the UK, in Gibraltar and at sea to mark the death of the Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99.

Buckingham Palace said Philip died peacefully in his sleep at Windsor Castle on Friday, two months before his 100th birthday, leaving the Queen and the royal family “mourning his loss”.

Saluting batteries began firing 41 rounds at one round every minute from midday on Saturday in cities including London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well from Royal Navy warships.

Ships taking part included HMS Diamond, HMS Montrose and HMNB Portsmouth, while the Royal Gibraltar Regiment joined the salute from the British overseas territory, the Ministry of Defence said.

The public were encouraged to observe the gun salutes, which are fired to mark significant national events, on television or online, rather than gathering in crowds to watch outside.

The final of 41 gunshots has been fired at the Tower of London in tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.

Members of the Honourable Artillery Company have dissembled three large guns which they used to salute the duke, as hundreds of people watched from Tower Bridge.

Following the salute, 18 of the uniformed servicemen boarded three military vehicles towing the guns from beside the Thames, as members of the public applauded.