Gun salute for Prince Philip held in Wellington

A 41-gun salute in honour of Prince Philip has now finished in Wellington. The ceremony lasted 40 minutes.

Booming shoots could be heard coming from Point Jerningham, with clouds of smoke drifting out over Evans Bay Parade. Members of the public clustered in small groups along the parade.

Members of the public gather to watch the 41-gun salute in honour of Prince Philip. Photo / Melissa Nightingale

Soldiers stood at the entry to Point Jerningham handing out ear plugs for those attending the salute.

The hillside around the point crowded with people quietly sitting and watching the guns being fired. Strong winds carried smoke from the gunshots across the crowd.

John and his son Ollie were among the members of the public stopping in to see the guns before heading to the park.

John said they did not have any particular interest in the royals, but "somebody's died so that's pretty sad".

John and his son Ollie. Photo / Melissa Nightingale

Legal officer in the military Sarah Porter was at the ceremony today, and said Prince Philip "did a lot of good while he was still here with us".

"It's important for us to be able to come out an honour another military member," she said.

"It's a really important event, this doesn't happen very often."

Sam Tuimaseve was there to be "a part of history".

"There's a lot of us that weren't around in the generation that Prince Philip married into the royal family ... I just thought I would come and do my bit as a Kiwi and be a part of a bit of history."

Brendan Jaques' brother was involved in the ceremony. He said Prince Philip was a long serving member of the royal family and it was important to recognise what he had done throughout his lifetime and "pay tribute".

Soldiers carry out the 41-gun salute for Prince Philip at Wellington's Point Jerningham. Photo / Melissa Nightingale

Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy posted about the salute on social media this morning, saying the 16th Field Regiment of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery would fire the salute to mark the Duke of Edinburgh's death.

"They will use 25 Pounder Blank ammunition with 0.33 charge. The rounds will be fired at one minute intervals commencing at 12 noon," she said.

"This gun salute is taking place as part of a salute by Commonwealth countries, in line with salutes that will take place in the United Kingdom."

New Zealand is planning to hold a memorial service for Prince Philip. Dame Patsy said it would be held after his funeral in Britain.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II depart a Service of Commemoration in London for troops who were stationed in Afghanistan on March 13, 2015. Photo / AP

The Governor-General would usually travel overseas to attend such an event, but Dame Patsy said it was a different situation at the moment.

"The arrangements for his funeral are very much up in the air as far as we're concerned because, given the global pandemic, I'm sure that will affect what is being done.

"But I know he always wanted to have quite a small funeral in any event."

Dame Patsy has written to the Queen on behalf of New Zealand, expressing condolences.

The funeral service will take place at St George's Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, at 3pm on Saturday - which is 2am Sunday New Zealand time.

The event will be televised in the UK.

The BBC has reported Prince Philip was reported to have requested a funeral of minimal fuss and will not lie in state.

He will lie at rest in the private chapel at Windsor Castle until the day of the funeral, rather than lying in state where members of the public would have been able to view his coffin.

The BBC reported that the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin has been draped in his personal flag, his standard, which represents elements of his life, from his Greek heritage to his British titles.

A wreath of flowers has also been placed atop the coffin.

While monarchs are usually recognised with state funerals, Covid-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom mean Prince Philip's ceremonial funeral will be "much lower key" than if he had died outside the pandemic.

But the palace said the service also "reflects the Duke's wishes" and it will still "celebrate and reflect" a life of service.

As per social distancing rules in the UK, only 30 people can attend a funeral.

Because of restrictions, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be in attendance.

Clare de Lore, Lady McKinnon today spoke to Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin about the time she and her husband Don McKinnon hosted the Queen and Prince Philip for lunch a few years back.

Lady McKinnon said it was the first time the pair had visited a private home in London for many years.

"They wanted it to be really lowkey" she said.

During the dinner party the pair discussed family and international affairs alongside normal things like cooking shows.

"They complemented each other very well," she added.

- RNZ/NZME