Gun salute for prince, 69

PRINCE Charles’s birthday went off with a bang as squaddies gathered in Edinburgh for a traditional military salute.

The Prince of Wales’ 69th birthday was marked by a 21-gun salute in the capital at noon yesterday.

Crowds gathered to watch the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery – the Airborne Gunners – fire 21 rounds at 15-second intervals from Mills Mount Battery at Edinburgh Castle.

It is a military tradition to fire artillery in honour of the prince’s birthday.