The Queen was amused yesterday when a rival and a swarm of bees took on the British Army.

A Royal beekeeper rushed to the rescue when a queen bee sent a buzz of excitement around Windsor Castle.

An angry swarm colonised chairs (one pictured) set out in the castle's quadrangle for VIPs at a ceremonial review of the Army's elite Queen's Company, Grenadier Guards.

As the beekeeper, in protective visor and gloves, struggled to contain the threat, the Queen looked on through a castle window.

Beekeeper and pest control contractor Peter Sheppard had only 30 minutes to save the day and the blushes of the British Army's finest.

In the end, no one was stung.