Celebrating in style! Prince Charles’ 69th birthday is marked with a 41-gun salute – after Radio 4 confused listeners by playing God Save the Queen in his honour
- King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery took part in the gun salute in Green Park
- Six First World War-era 13 pounder field guns were fired at 10 second intervals
- It comes as Radio 4 listeners were caught off guard by national anthem
He may be one year off his milestone 70th, but Prince Charles's birthday was honoured in fashionable style with a 41-gun salute by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Six First World War-era 13 pounder field guns were used to fire the salute in Green Park at noon today, while another gun salute took place at the Tower of London.
A gun salute also took place at Edinburgh Castle in honour of the Prince of Wales, as crowds watched on.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery took part in a 41-gun salute to mark Prince Charles's 69th birthday today
Members of the Royal Horse Artillery were seen arriving in Green Park on horseback
Six First World War-era 13 pounder field guns were used to fire the salute, as in traditional to mark royal birthdays
It comes as Radio 4 listeners were caught off guard as they woke up to hear the national anthem being played during the Today programme to mark Charles's birthday.
Royal gun salutes take place every year to mark the Prince of Wales' birthday, as well as the Queen and Prince Philip's birthday.
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They also take place on special occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, Prorogation of Parliament, Coronation Day and Accession Day, as well as to mark royal births and state visits.
Earlier today, Radio 4 listeners were initially left confused when they heard God Save The Queen being played at 7am.
BBC Radio 4 played the national anthem to mark Prince Charles's 69th birthday today, leaving some viewers very confused
In fact, some said they had initially been concerned about what major news event had taken place, with one person saying it had 'scared the hell' out of him.
Meanwhile, others criticised the fact that the broadcaster still played the national anthem to mark royal birthdays, while a few joked that it was a 'kick in the teeth' for Charles to have God Save The Queen played on his birthday.
Radio 4 and Radio 2 both play the national anthem to mark the birthdays of the Queen, the Prince Of Wales, and the Duke of Edinburgh.
A Household Cavalry horse was seen rearing its head ahead of the gun salute earlier today
Crowds gathered to watch as the Royal Horse Artillery fired 41 rounds at ten second intervals
Members of the King's Troop were dressed in full regalia during the special event
Despite the long-standing tradition, many listeners were surprised when they woke up to hear God Save The Queen.
One person wrote: 'Today programme playing GSTQ [for] Prince Charles today scared the hell out of me in bed. Really thought we'd been invaded.'
Another added: 'Did @BBCr4today just play national anthem for Prince Charles b/c it's his birthday? Why not play "Happy Birthday" #notaboutthequeen'.
Royal gun salutes take place every year to mark the Prince of Wales' birthday, as well as the Queen and Prince Philip's birthday
They also take place on special occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament and Coronation Day
A soldier is seen timing the ten second gaps between gunfire during the salute today
Members of the King's Troop leave in a long parade after the 41-gun salute is completed
The King's Troop is a ceremonial unit of the British Army, and regularly take part in royal events
A solider is seen standing to attention as he waits for the long line of horses to return
Others criticised the fact that the BBC still plays the national anthem to mark royal birthdays.
Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer wrote: 'Give me a break.
'The #Today programme playing the national anthem for Prince Charles's birthday. What century are we in?'
Another Twitter user added: 'Do they always play a snippet of our grim national anthem during the Today programme to mark Prince Charles's birthday?
A gun salute also took place at Edinburgh Castle today, to mark Charles's birthday
A 21-gun salute was fired from the Mills Mount Battery by the the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Crowds gathered ahead of the gun salute, which takes place in the Scottish capital every year in honour of the Prince of Wales' birthday
The Airborne Gunners were inspected by David McGown (centre), assistant chief officer of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
It comes as Radio 4 listeners were caught off guard as they woke up to hear the national anthem being played during the Today programme to mark Charles's birthday
Some Twitter users described waking up to the national anthem as 'weird'. One listener commented 'Why not play "Happy Birthday" #notaboutthequeen'
'Thought I'd stepped back to the 50s'.
Some meanwhile joked whether it was 'trolling' Prince Charles to play the national anthem, with one person remarking: 'Lets really rub it in!!'
The BBC had previously considered whether to only play God Save The Queen song on 'significant' royal birthdays, but has decided to keep the tradition in tact.
The national anthem is still played once a day at the end of Radio 4's night-time shows, following the Shipping Forecast.
Meanwhile, others - including broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer - criticised the fact that the BBC still play the national anthem to mark Charles's birthday
Others joked that it was a 'kick in the teeth' for Charles to have God Save the Queen played on his birthday
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