Pomp and pageantry in Windsor as wedding rehearsal takes place

WINDSOR, England - In the shadow of Windsor Castle's fairytale turrets, the majestic clip-clop of hooves and a brass band's soaring notes rang out Thursday as throngs alternately cheered, clapped and sighed.

All that was missing was the bride and groom.

It was just a dry run, but an elaborate rehearsal of the stately carriage procession planned for Saturday offered the crowds lining the streets of this ancient city a close-up view of the pomp and pageantry to come when American actress Meghan Markle marries Prince Henry, sixth in line to the British throne.

Thursday's faux festivities took place under the watchful eyes of a vast security force - a preview of the grim need to tightly guard against threats two days hence - with police using facial recognition technology to scan the crowds and spotters lining rooftops as helicopter