Kensington Palace hosts unique gathering

King Charles and Queen Camilla marked their return to Royal Ascot as they led the traditional carriage procession at the prestigious racing event.

Charles and Camilla travelled in the first carriage, accompanied by Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud from Saudi Arabia's Royal Family and Lady Sarah Keswick, who serves as the Queen's closest companion.

Meanwhile, Kensington Palace played host to a unique gathering of high-end buyers at the Goffs London Sale auction. 

"You could be standing in the grounds of Kensington Palace at six o'clock and by two o'clock the next day, you could be at the parade ring alongside the British Royal Family with your own runner and your own colours," said Henry Beeby, chief executive at the 160-year-old Goffs auction house, while speaking to Reuters.

The Goffs London Sale, now in its 11th year, is an exclusive auction held in the grounds of Kensington Palace where anyone, providing they have a minimum 150,000 pound credit clearance, can bid for front-row access to one of the world's most prestigious sporting events.

The event, held in the palace's gardens, saw 28 thoroughbred horses change hands for over 7.5 million pounds, with some buyers hoping to make a splash at Royal Ascot.

The British royal family has a long-standing association with horses, with many members actively involved in equestrian pursuits. 

Royal Ascot, one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, attracts top-class horses and riders from across the globe.

Kensington Palace remains an official residence for several members of the royal family, including the Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The Goffs London Sale auction serves as an unofficial curtain raiser for Royal Ascot, where trainers and top horses compete in prestigious races worth up to a million pounds.