Queen's life celebrated with spectacular show featuring 900 horses

The Queen's life was celebrated with a spectacular equine-themed show featuring stars of stage and screen.

Windsor Castle hosted a series of majestic displays from famous horse troupes from across the globe - featuring some 900 horses - as part of the televised celebration of the Queen’s 90 years.

Her family joined her in the royal box for the TV special, including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The show also saw performances from famous figures such Gary Barlow and Dame Helen Mirren, with Geordie duo Ant and Dec hosting the show.

Dec told the 6,000 spectators in the stands: "Her life has spanned 10 decades and historic milestones include one world war, two coronations, man landing on the moon, the dawn of the new millennium, two London Olympic Games and of course 287 bush tucker trials."

The Queen, who celebrated her birth on April 21, and Philip were the last members of the royal party to arrive at the event - which featured all the royal men in black tie - and when her horse drawn carriage arrived the royal couple were greeted by Charles and Camilla.

Gary Barlow kicked off the entertainment with a performance of the song Something About This Night, before actors including Dame Helen and Downton Abbey star Jim Carter narrated the historic moments from her life.

Charles, who is patron of the Queen's 90th Birthday Celebration, wished his mother "the happiest of very special birthdays" writing in the official programme to mark the event, the culmination of the annual Windsor Horse Show.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.