Windsor, England, 7th June 1996

1. Wide shot guards line steps to Chapel

2. Cutaway guards

3. Wide shot procession commences

4. Close up Margaret Thatcher and other Garter receivers walk in procession

5. Wide shot procession walks up steps to Chapel

6. Cutaway crowd

7. Close up Queen and Prince Phillip arrive

8. Wide shot Queen and Prince Phillip walk up steps of Chapel

9. Cutaway guards

10. Wide shot procession comes out of Chapel

11. Close up Queen and Prince Phillip come down stairs

12. Queen and Prince Phillip drive off in coach

13. Queen Mother and Prince Charles drive off in coach

14. Wide shot cars move in to take away other guests

15. Close up Margaret Thatcher in gown talking

16. Cutaway guards

17. Medium shot Margaret Thatcher standing on steps

Natural Sound

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has finally received the highest award that can be bestowed by the British Monarch.

In a colourful display of medieval pageantry, she has become a member of one of Britain's most selective groups - the Order of the Garter.

Presiding over the annual gathering of the Garter knights at Windsor castle in England was Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

Some say it is Britain's most exclusive club.

The ceremony is held every June at St George's Chapel at one of the homes of Queen Elizabeth - Windsor Castle, west of London.

The Order of the Garter ceremony was held on Monday in fine splendour.

The Order's 24 members represent the great and the good of the country - hand picked by the Monarch.

To be asked to join is the highest honour the Queen can bestow on a subject.

Those honoured individuals arrived decked out in the fine robes of the Order.

The Queen and Prince Philip, also appeared in their finery.

The Order of the Garter ceremony dates back to 1348 when the then King Edward III saw a garter fall from the leg of a woman.

Sparing her embarrassment and blushes, he quickly returned it, uttering the phrase in French that has since become the Order's motto:

"Honi soit qui mal y pense" - evil be to he who evil thinks.

Edward III then started the Order to honour a small group of his closest friends, rewarding them for their loyalty and courage.

Monday's ceremony signalled Baroness Thatcher's installment as a full member of the Order - she was installed as a Lady Companion last summer.