9 minute read
ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER BEHIND THE LENS
Ahead of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Dream Escape meets Getty Images' royal photographer Chris Jackson to hear what it’s like photographing the most famous family in the world, and what this momentous year holds in store...
For the past two decades, Getty Images' royal photographer Chris Jackson has been responsible for capturing some of the most important and iconic moments in British history. There have been fairy-tale royal weddings, splendid state occasions, international tours and so much more, and now, thanks to Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, 2022 is set to be his busiest year yet.
“One day I could be with the Duke of Cambridge for Tusk Trust in Africa and the next in London with Prince George. It never gets boring,” smiles Chris, who has travelled to more than 100 countries with members of the royal family. “Photographing the same small group of people means you really get to know their nuances and characters very well over the years. I’ve spent a lot of time travelling with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and working with Prince Harry and the charity Sentebale in Lesotho was wonderful. It has been amazing to go to all these places and experience incredible things – it’s something that I never underappreciate.”
Having been by the royal family's side for nearly 20 years, accompanying them on day-to-day engagements, domestic visits and overseas tours, multi-award-winning photographer Chris, 42, has created an unparalleled photographic archive of the most famous family in the world. And of course, there is also its matriarch, Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, who this year will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after an incredible 70 years of service.
“Anything I do with the Queen is very special. She has this incredible aura and presence. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. I recently did an official portrait for the Canadian government, which was a huge honour for me. Taking a portrait of the Queen, for any photographer, is the highlight of your career,” he beams.
“But I wouldn’t want to be a studio photographer every day. I like the fact that the Queen doesn’t perform for the cameras, she will just do what she will do, and I have to pre-empt it.
The Queen wins Royal Ascot’s Gold Cup with her thoroughbred, Estimate, in 2013
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
I look where the light is going to fall, who she’s going to chat to, throw in a bit of luck and you might get a nice expression in the right light.
I love that, because you know that if you’ve captured something good, which doesn’t happen very often, that it’s almost unreplicable, because she is the Queen.”
Prince Charles' 70th birthday portrait
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
the Queen and Prince Philip mark 73rd wedding anniversary
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
Chris’ famous images are published regularly on the front pages of newspapers and magazines around the world. From capturing Prince George's first day of school to shooting reportage-style at charity events, Chris must remain constantly on his toes in order to keep up with the family’s various activities.
“I employ so many different styles of photography. I can be doing a portrait one moment with assistants, the next I am on a long lens photographing the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
No two days are the same,” he explains. Not far from Chris’ South- West London home, many assignments take place at locations such as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and in 2018 he was one of only a handful of photographers granted prime position directly outside Westminster Abbey for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s historic wedding.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smile following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
“I am very lucky that for those big events of national celebration, I get a front row seat. That moment was watched by two billion people around the world, and I was literally feet away, ready to capture their first moment as they emerged into the light as a married couple, and get a full-length shot of the dress, of course,” he smiles.
“I was a bit nervous about exposure, but then you look at the back of the camera and feel great relief. Those photos were around the world within minutes. It was incredibly exciting.”
To mark the Platinum Jubilee, various celebrations are planned across the country throughout the year. Several main events are taking place in London over an extended bank holiday weekend in June, including a live concert at Buckingham Palace (Platinum Party at the Palace, 4 June) and a spectacular parade (The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, 5 June). A brand-new exhibition has also been unveiled at Kensington Palace; Life Through a Royal Lens (on now until 30 October) explores the royal family through photography, bringing together some of the most recognised images taken over the past 200 years, including some captured by Chris. As bunting is strung up and ‘Jubilee fever’ sweeps the country, there has never been a more exciting time to visit the capital, and Dream Escape’s Travel Design team arrange exclusive experiences, itineraries and unforgettable stays in some of London’s most luxurious hotels.
“The Jubilee is going to be a moment of pure celebration. And it’s not just about that weekend, it’s about the whole year. There is lots to look forward to,” enthuses Chris, who has recently returned from a Platinum Jubilee tour of the Caribbean with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince George's first day of school
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
“That’s what’s so great about the royal family – it’s such a unique institution and they have this amazing ability to bring the nation together and make us all want to celebrate.”
the touching moment when the Queen knighted the late Captain Sir Thomas Moore
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
To mark this significant moment in history, Chris has recently released his second book, Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time; a beautiful and sentimental coffee-table collection of the many different facets of the Queen’s life, captured by Chris over the past 20 years. As well as royal tours, official engagements and lavish state dinners, the book also shines a light on the Queen’s enduring sense of style and offers a unique glimpse into more private moments of family life.
“I love the 73rd wedding anniversary picture with the Duke of Edinburgh (see page 24). It was a nice candid moment, and I think that’s actually what I enjoy capturing the most. It’s also very poignant because you can see Windsor Castle’s Round Tower in the background, and not that long after we were back there for the Duke’s funeral,” Chris recalls.
“I also love the photograph of them all making Christmas pudding together. It’s a historic picture because it’s all the heirs to the throne, but it’s also very relaxed.”
Also featured in the book is the touching moment when the Queen knighted the late Captain Sir Thomas Moore, affectionately known as Captain Tom; a British Army officer who made international headlines in 2020 when he raised money for charity in the runup to his 100th birthday during the COVID-19 pandemic (see page 27).
“This image really illustrates why I called the book ‘A Queen for Our Time’. Whilst the Queen might not be seen every day of the week, when she is she brings everyone together. She has this incredible ability to unite the nation,” Chris explains warmly.
“That image was shared everywhere, all over social media. It really brought everyone together and inspired people at a very difficult time.”
As well as many wonderful photographs, Chris’ latest book also includes a selection of fascinating and heart-warming stories of moments that left Chris smiling behind his camera, offering a rare, personal perspective into what goes on behind the scenes.
Celebration of the Women's Institute
ALL IMAGES © CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES
“I’ve only been photographing the Queen for 20 years, which seems like a long time to some people, but really, it’s a snapshot in her long life. What makes the book special is all the unexpected moments and the little stories behind them,” he explains.
“Like when she won the Ascot Gold Cup with Estimate, that was such a great moment. And the image from the 100- year celebration of the Women's Institute – if you look closely, you can see that the knife is actually stuck in the cake!” he smiles.
“That’s the unique thing about photographing the royal family – your complete lack of control over the situation. It can make you nervous sometimes, that element that you can’t control, but that’s what I love about it really – you never know what to expect.”
Chris' second book, Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time
© Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time photography and text by Chris Jackson, Rizzoli New York, 2021
WORDS | SOPHIE FARRAH
