Ceremonial gunfire rang out across the U.K. on Friday to mark the accession of King Charles III, as he paid tribute to his mother Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun Accession salute in London's Hyde Park, followed by a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London.

Guns were also fired from Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital, Cardiff Castle in Wales, and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.

Commemorations of the queen's death were low key on Friday, with the king – who is at his sprawling Scottish Highland estate of Balmoral – not expected at any official engagement.

In a short statement, the 74-year-old British head of state recalled the "great affection" for his mother, her life and public service.

"I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all," he added.

He and wife Camilla attended Crathie Kirk, the late monarch's place of worship near Balmoral, for private prayers and a moment of reflection.

Charles, dressed in a red tartan kilt, talked to well-wishers outside the church after the event.

"I saw the funeral procession go past last year, it's a sad day for everyone," Ross Nichol, a 22-year-old student from nearby Ballater, told AFP.

"She did a lot of good things and she had a standing in the world," added German tourist Nicole Hoppe.

"We feel a little bit sad and sentimental for her."

The queen, who was on the throne for a record-breaking 70 years, died on Sept. 8, 2022 at Balmoral aged 96 after a period of declining health.

Flowers were left at the gates of Balmoral, while crowds gathered at Buckingham Palace and floral tributes were also left.

Throughout her reign the queen did not publicly mark her accession, as it was also the anniversary of her own father King George VI's death in 1952.