One photograph shows the Keeper of Medina and servants

A rare collection of 19th century photographs of Islam's holiest cities has been bought at auction by the Saudi royal family for more than two million dollars.

The auctioneers, Sothebys in London, said it was a staggering price to pay.

The sale followed intense competition from a rival bidder, believed to be representing the Qatari royal family.

The pictures, taken in 1881, are the earliest photographic records of Mecca and Medina.

They show panoramas of the two cities and images of pilgrims performing the annual hajj.