Jumbo landing for royal parade

The elephants are gathering... for their royal inspection.

Most of the herd of more than 250 brightly coloured elephants, painted by a number of different artists, designers and celebrities, has now been assembled in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea before their auction for charity on July 3.

The parade and auction has been organised by the Elephant Family, the conservation charity founded by the Duchess's younger brother, Mark Shand, which is raising money to save the Asian elephant from extinction.

Those who have designed or decorated the lifesize statues of baby elephants include artist Marc Quinn, fashion designers John Rocha and Sir Paul Smith, and children from a Hackney primary school. The statues have been stationed at high-profile London locations, including tourist spots.

The free Chelsea display is open to the public tomorrow, Saturday and Monday, while other members of the herd are on view at Westfield shopping centre, Shepherd's Bush.