Royal family fan Colin Carr heralded the birth of the 8lb 6oz future king with a 21 gun salute for Sandwich on Tuesday from The Quay.

The harbour master was proud and pleased he fired the tribute an hour before the traditional gun salute at the Tower of London in honour of the newest heir to the throne.

Mr Carr said: “I was hoping to fire the cannon 41 times, but 21 took about 20 minutes! But I did warn the owner of a parrot, who lives nearby, about the noise.”

He paid tribute to the talents of the group of people who made the cannon from an old fence post and it made its maiden bang at the Sandwich Medieval Fair.

Mr Carr added: “We wanted to resurrect the tradition of firing at midday in Sandwich and I think it is quite unique that we still have a royal family so wanted to mark the birth.”

The firing ended, conveniently, must in time for the harbour master to take his next passengers up the Stour, as he makes regular visits aboard the Sandwich Riverbus to see the seals where the river widens near Pegwell Bay.