PHOTO GALLERY: Royals and crowds turn out for Garter ceremony in Windsor

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An annual event that has been part of Windsor's calendar of pageantry since the 14th century attracted a crowd of thousands on Monday.

The historic Garter ceremony comes two days after the pageantry of the Trooping of the Colour in London.

It is a tradition that celebrates the oldest and most prestigious British Order of Chivalry or Knighthood, established by King Edward III in 1348.

The order consists of senior members of the Royal Family, along with 24 Companions of the Order honoured for service to the monarchy.

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family travelled by carriage to Windsor Castle on Monday where a reception was held in the Waterloo Chamber.

Then the Knights - wearing their velvet robes and ostrich feather hats - walked in procession to St George's Chapel where a service took place.

The Life Guards and Scots Guards provided marching bands and the Blues and Royals played a trumpet fanfare. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the Irish Guards, who are based at Windsor's Combermere and Victoria Barracks also took part.

Marching among the 'knights' was Sir John Major - Britain's last Conservative Prime Minister until this year, now a veteran Knight of the Garter.

His predecessor Baroness Thatcher, also a knight, attended the service in St George's Chapel but did not take part in the ceremony.

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