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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Cathy Owen

96-gun salute will take place at Cardiff Castle today at 1pm

Wales is joining with the rest of the country and the Commonwealth to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a gun salute to commemorate the Queen's life. The 96-gun salute, to mark every year of the Queen's life, will take place at Cardiff Castle at 1pm.

As a mark of respect the flags on council buildings and key city landmarks will be flown at half-mast and books of condolences will be opened at various council buildings.

Churches across Wales will also be opening their doors to allow people to pay their respects.

At the castle, one round will be fired for every year of the Queen’s life, followed by a 10 second silence.

It comes as the country enters an extended period of national mourning. King Charles III will return to London on Friday from Balmoral, the scene of his mother’s final moments, and is expected to address the nation with a televised statement at 6pm .

A meticulously planned process proclaiming him as monarch will now unfold over the coming days, as most government business is suspended and people gather in their thousands outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences to pay their respects.

The new King, who had dashed to the Queen's bedside, said the death of his beloved mother was a "moment of great sadness" for him and his family and her loss would be "deeply felt" around the world.

Church bells will be tolled and prayers said across churches in Wales today.

Cathedrals and churches are being encouraged to toll bells between noon and 1pm today (Friday) and flags will be flown at half-mast. Churches will also be open for prayer and reflection and people will be invited to sign books of condolences and light a candle.

Special services are also being planned.

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