THE sound of gunfire will ring out in Colchester this weekend to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III.

The 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery will carry out a gun salute in Lower Castle Park on Saturday.

It will be conducted at 12.01pm, which is the exact moment His Majesty will be officially crowned King.

Colchester was first given the honor of being a Royal Saluting Station back in 2006.

The resident artillery unit at Colchester Garrison has fired an annual 21-gun Royal Salute ever since to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday in June.

Gazette: Colchester and 7 Para RHA firing on Exercise Cypher Strike on Salisbury Plain, in March 2022Colchester and 7 Para RHA firing on Exercise Cypher Strike on Salisbury Plain, in March 2022 (Image: Ministry of Defence)

In September last year, a 96-gun salute was held to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s death, before a 21-gun salute was held to mark the proclamation of King Charles.

Gun salutes are a traditional custom, both on land and at sea, to mark a sign of respect or welcome.

Just as a salute with the open hand was once used to show no weapon was concealed in the palm, the firing of cannons indicates the friendly intent of an empty chamber.

The coronation salute will be fired at 12.01pm.