For those who thought Lord March had a hotline to the weather gods, well, even he was outgunned by the Royal Household, as over the three days of the event the sumptuous display of cars in the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle was bathed in blazing late-summer sunshine.

With entries ranging in age from an 1896 Panhard et Levassor to a 1972 Lamborghini Miura, the organisers had done everything to pick the very best cars in the world. As more than one expert said, “An invitation to participate at a Royal concours is something quite exceptional. You are unlikely to decline.”

So, the cars on the immaculate lawn – with no sponsorship, note – were artfully arranged and included, quite simply, all ‘the greats’: Alfa 8Cs, ‘Cricklewood’ Bentleys, incredible 1930s supercars from Avions Voisin, Mercedes-Benz and Horch, post-War classics from Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Maserati and Porsche... the list goes on and the cars are too numerous to mention all.

An Editorial pick? If the SWB had been silver... no, that’s mean-spirited on such a glorious long weekend. I’d go for the pale grey 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C Corto Touring Spider. A truly wonderful car, even in such exalted company.

A special video feature, plus more news on the 2012 Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance, will be published later this week on Classic Driver.

Photos: Jan Baedeker