Queen’s silent tribute

THE QUEEN led Royal Ascot racegoers and her family in observing a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and London and Manchester terror attacks.

With her head bowed and her hands clasped in front of her, the Queen joined tens of thousands of punters paying their respects.

The announcer of the minute’s silence said it was a “mark of respect for the victims and families so tragically affected by recent events in the United Kingdom”.

With the Queen stood the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (right), the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and other members of the monarchy.

The Queen marked her official birthday on Saturday by issuing a statement acknowledging the “succession of terrible tragedies” in recent weeks and observing a minute’s silence before Trooping the Colour ceremony began.

The racecourse is making a donation of £100,000 to the British Red Cross UK Solidarity and London Fire Relief Funds and local charities to support those affected.