St Mary’s Church in Swanage will toll a bell 99 times at midday on Saturday 10th April 2021 following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh and there will be gun salutes across the UK.
The St Mary’s bell will toll out across the town half-muffled as a mark of respect to Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband of 73 years, who died on Friday at the age of 99.
The bell tower at St Mary’s Church on Church Hill in Swanage
Gun salutes at midday
There will also be gun salutes at midday on Saturday 10th April 2021 around the UK
Saluting batteries will fire 41 rounds at one round every minute from 12 noon in towns and cities including Portsmouth, Plymouth and across London.
The salutes will be broadcast online and on TV, and the public are encouraged to observe them from home.
Flags across Swanage have been lowered to half mast and will stay lowered until the funeral takes place, which is expected to take place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in about a week’s time.
The Union Flag will remain at half mast at Swanage Town Hall until the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral
Prayer for the Royal Family on the death of the Duke of Edinburgh
Swanage and Studland Team Ministry have written a prayer following Prince Philip’s death and it is on the team’s website.
Heavenly Father, we pray for Her Majesty the Queen and all the Royal Family, that she and they may be protected and upheld through these days of sorrow on the death of Prince Philip.
Bless them with your presence; surround them with your love; strengthen their faith and assurance in the resurrection and the life, held in the everlasting promise of Christ, in whose name we pray.
Amen
