Sparkly masks in hand, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall led the festivities at a conservation charity ball tonight.
The royal couple appeared in excellent spirits as they welcomed well-heeled guests including Donna Air and Yasmin Le Bon to Clarence House for the glittering annual event, which supports the Elephant Family charity founded by the duchess’s brother Mark Shand.
In keeping with the animal masquerade theme, Charles, 70, and Camilla, 71, donned black panther masks and gamely held them up to their faces as they mingled with guests.
Other guests donned exquisite headpieces shaped like elephants, butterflies and leopards.
Chuckling Charles! The prince couldn’t help but laugh as he chatted to a guest at the Animal Ball at Clarence House tonight
Dream team: Getting into the animal masquerade theme, Charles, 70, and Camilla, 71, held up glittering panther masks
More is more! The royal couple looked delighted by one guest’s extravagant elephant mask – complete with glittery trunk
The deep blue: Actor Douglas Booth and model Yasmin Le Bon wore matching seahorse masks for the event tonight
Animal magic: The Duchess of Cornwall posed for a photo with artist Tracey Emin, who was dressed like a leopard
Glitter girl: TV personality Donna Air twinkled in an embellished gown by Needle and Thread for the Clarence House event
Bright and beautiful! The Duchess of Cornwall admired women wearing beautiful floral headdresses at the glittering ball
Animal kingdom: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall greeted well-heeled guests who made the most of the theme
Among the most unusual were the sparkly seahorse masks sported by dapper actor Douglas Booth, 26, and model Yasmin Le Bon, 54, who beamed as they posed for photos with their matching accessories.
Designer Vivienne Westwood was also in attendance, and was seen chatting to Camilla, appearing to have donned a quirky floral mask for the occasion.
The Animal Ball is a celebration of the natural world, raising millions for vital habitat conservation projects in Asia and helping preserve the world’s greatest masterpieces from extinction.
Charles and Camilla beamed as they arrived at the event, clutching their sparkling matching black masks, which had been decorated with hundreds of sequin flowers.
Camilla spoke to one guest who had donned an impressive black elephant mask for the occasion, which supports the charity founded by her brother
Prince Charles mingled with guests at the party as he hosted the event at Clarence House alongside Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
One group of men appeared to have coordinated their cartoon-esque masks which appeared to be some of crowned crustaceans
Another attendee who was seen speaking to the Duchess of Cornwall donned a peacock mask for the Elephant Family Animal Ball at Clarence House
Designer Vivienne Westwood attended the event wearing a decadent insect mask in a floral fabric, appearing to pose alongside Camilla for a photograph
The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a white two piece for the occasion, matching a smart in a white kaftan embellished with gold embroidery with a pair of wide-leg trousers.
The royal donned a pair of glittering gold earrings that perfectly complimented the detailing on her top.
She swept a light eyeshadow across her lid, and wore a touch of nude lipgloss for the occasion.
Having greeted fellow party-goers, the couple headed into the garden where they seemed delighted as they posed in their matching masks alongside a statute of an elephant.
Their fellow guests wore decadent animal masks, including lobsters, leopards and peacock, as well as insects, including spiders and bees.
Inspired by Truman Capote’s Black and White Dance of 1966, this year will see twenty-six of the world’s greatest fashion houses – Prada, Missoni, Chloe, Temperley, Sabyasachi amongst others – dress a bestiary of beautiful creatures from all corners of British society in bespoke couture animal-themed masks.
Vivienne Westwood wore a quirky floral insect mask and appeared to shake the Duchess of Cornwall’s hand as the two spoke at the party
Prince Charles beamed as he spoke with guests at the event and appeared to share a joke with his fellow attendees at the charity ball
The royals could barely contain their excitement as they posed alongside large elephant sculptures outside the party at Clarence House
The couple held up their masks as they posed for photographs outside the Elephant Family Animal Ball at Clarence House this evening
A-listers often frequent the event, with supermodel Cara Delevinge and Jerry Hall among those who have attended in the past.
Since its inception in 2002, Elephant Family has funded over 200 projects across India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sumatra and Borneo.
These projects have reconnected forest fragments, restored migratory routes, stamped out illegal trades, and found ways for humans and elephants to live closer together than ever before without killing each other.
Prince Charles appeared to be enjoying himself as he joined Camilla for the annual event, donning a sparkling animal mask that had been decorated with sequin flowers