Arranging official royal photographs with three young children presents unique challenges, particularly in keeping everyone composed. Getty Images royal photographer Chris Jackson faced this during the 2018 session for King Charles’s 70th birthday at Clarence House gardens.
Iconic Family Snapshot
Jackson, author of Modern Majesty, captured a memorable image featuring King Charles and Queen Camilla seated on a bench. Prince George sat on his grandfather’s lap, Princess Charlotte nestled against Camilla, and baby Prince Louis rested in his mother, the Princess of Wales’s, arms. The group erupted in laughter, creating a joyful contrast to typical formal portraits.
Behind the Laughter
Jackson explained the approach to injecting levity into the shoot. “We were trying to think about how to make it a little bit more lighthearted,” he said. “When you do these formal portraits, it can be a little bit stiff.”
The moment unfolded naturally. “It was a lovely moment, the kids laughed,” Jackson noted. “The grown-ups laughed. So what I loved is that we got the formal photo that we needed for history, I suppose. And then just came a really fun moment that resonated with people, everyone enjoying themselves.”
Navigating the Unpredictable
Reflecting on the experience, Jackson described it as an honor to photograph the then-Prince of Wales and his family. “Official group pictures can be unpredictable, certainly when little people are involved,” he stated. “After some deliberation with the former communications secretary to the royal couple, I was able to secure permission to do things a little ‘differently’.”
This blend of tradition and spontaneity produced an enduring image that captured the family’s warmth.
