Australia’s Defence Force fires 96 rounds to mark the death of The Queen in a moving ceremony outside Parliament House
- Aussies have remembered the Queen in a 96 gun salute in the nation’s capital
- Australian Defence Force fired from six M2A2 105mm Howitzer Ceremonial Guns
- The moving ceremony happened outside Parliament house on Friday afternoon
- It follows the British tradition of honouring each year of Her Majesty’s life
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
A moving gun salute marking the life of Queen Elizabeth II has rang out over Canberra, with 96 rounds of ammunition fired in the late monarch’s honour.
The nation’s Federation Guard commemorated Her Majesty with six M2A2 105mm Howitzer Ceremonial Guns at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday afternoon.
The dusk ceremony follows the British tradition of firing one round for each year of the Queen’s life.
A moving gun salute marking the life of Queen Elizabeth II has rang out over Canberra, with 96 rounds of ammunition fired in the late monarch’s honour
The nation’s Federation Guard commemorated Her Majesty with six M2A2 105mm Howitzer Ceremonial Guns at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday afternoon
The moving ceremony was held at dusk outside Parliament House on Friday
The dusk ceremony follows the British tradition of firing one round for each year of The Queen’s life (pictured)
Crowds watched the sombre ceremony that saw six ADF ceremonial guns fire 96 rounds (pictured)
The moving ceremony (pictured) comes as the country reels from the shock of The Queen’s death, after she died on Thursday evening
Hundreds of people turned up to watch the ceremony unfold as members of the RAAF, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army fired the shots at 10-second intervals.
Each of the 54 Commonwealth countries have been invited to participate in the same ceremony.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said it was an ‘honour’ for the force to contribute to marking her passing.
‘During her reign, the Queen exemplified a life of duty and sacrifice, ever resilient in the face of adversity, and dedicated to the peace and prosperity of the Commonwealth,’ he said.
Australians and many around the world are still reeling from the news the Queen had passed on Thursday evening UK time.
She passed away peacefully at her castle in Balmoral, Scotland, with Buckingham Palace issuing a statement from King Charles III at 4.04am on Friday AEST.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a day of ‘profound sadness’.
‘Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole,’ he said.
‘It is a time of mourning for the people in Britain, across the Commonwealth and, indeed, around the world.
Crowds watch on as the 96-gun salute rings out over Canberra
Six M2A2 105mm Howitzer Ceremonial Guns were used at Parliament House in Canberra to salute The Queen (pictured)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute on Friday: ‘There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: Grief is the price we pay for love. This is a loss we feel deeply in Australia’
‘There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: Grief is the price we pay for love. This is a loss we feel deeply in Australia.’
Governor-General David Hurley described her as a ‘remarkable’ person who served with ‘distinction’ for more than 70 years.
‘Up when I reflect on my own memories, and she was my queen for my entire life, I think of Her Majesty’s dignity and her compassion, her dedication and her compassion, her dedication and her work ethic,’ he said.
‘And her selfless and unwavering commitment to those to whom she served. To us. Her death will sadden all Australians and be felt around the world.
‘As we mourn, we should also take inspiration and give thanks to the remarkable contribution Her Majesty has made. May she rest in peace. God save the king.’
The sad occasion comes after all Commonwealth countries were invited to remember Her Majesty through the salute (pictured, ADF members in Canberra on Friday)
Mr Albanese said, ‘It is a time of mourning for the people in Britain, across the Commonwealth and, indeed, around the world
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