Princess Kate and King Charles's cancer announcements spark major change at Windsor Castle

The King and Queen led the event as they paraded through Windsor in white plumed hats and dark blue velvet robes.

Some fans have been reported to queue for almost two hours in the hope that they will catch a glimpse of some of the working royals.

One local resident told MailOnline that the queue was "going back almost to the Long Walk" and the number of police officers in the area was "more than doubled."

He added: "Since King Charles and the Princess of Wales had their cancer announcements, Windsor Castle has never been so busy.

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"This has probably been the record this year and probably since the Queen's death. This is just a regular week, it's nice weather but it's not boiling hot.

"Even in the rain back in March and April, they were queuing up for ages under their umbrellas. Today was unusually busy because of the Garter."

The service started at 3pm today in St George's Chapel to honour Britain’s oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry.

Charles and Camilla walked the normal route down the hill from the Berkshire Castle’s State Apartments to St George’s Chapel. After the service, the Royal Family returned to the Castle by carriage.

This year, the King has appointed Baroness Manningham-Buller to the office of Chancellor of the Order of the Garter and The Lord Ashton of Hyde as the Master of the Horse.

Lord Lloyd-Webber was announced in April and is thought to be the first person in the arts and culture world to be made a member.

At the time, Lord Lloyd-Webber described it as "the greatest honour of my life".

It was revealed that Princess Kate will not be attending the service today, despite appearing at Trooping The Colour at the weekend.

The Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and Trooping the Colour was her first public appearance of 2024.

GB News understands the royal's appearance at Trooping the Colour does not signal a return to undertaking public duties.

The Princess of Wales hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer but will not attend Garter Day or Royal Ascot this week. The King, despite his own cancer diagnosis, has returned to public duties.

Kate said in a statement ahead of her appearance at Trooping the Colour: "I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet."