Royal Photographer Chris Jackson “Noticed a Significant Change In the Way Things Are Done” With King Charles Reign

As a photographer you are present, but you keep a certain distance from what’s going on around you. Have you gotten to know members of the British royal family over the years?

A key part of my role as a royal photographer for Getty Images is to document historic moments—images that, hopefully, will be looked back on decades, maybe even centuries from now. They are part of the visual fabric of British history. Over time, of course, professional relationships are built up across the board: behind the scenes, with palace staff, security and, to some extent, with the protagonists themselves. That familiarity is part of the job and for me it’s something that makes it so enjoyable. Meeting people you’ve been working with for 20 years in different environments is always a special experience. I remember sitting waiting for a plane on a royal tour a few years ago and looking around the room and realizing that I had known many of the journalists and staff members for more than 15 years of my life. I’m pretty sure that both the king and queen and members of the royal family have become accustomed over the years to seeing my (increasingly thinning) spiky hair peeking out over the camera at various times, but the important thing to remember is that it’s all about the people they are meeting that day. For many people, meeting a royal is something they will remember for the rest of their lives and royals are aware of the importance of their role and their presence.

What can you tell us about the past, present and future of the British monarchy through its key figures: Elizabeth II, King Charles and William, Prince of Wales, whom you have photographed over the years? What do you think each of them has and will bring to the table?

One of the most fascinating aspects of being a royal photographer is documenting a relatively small group of people over a long period of time, gaining an in-depth understanding of their characters and nuances. Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, the Prince and Princess of Wales are all very different to photograph—distinct personalities requiring different approaches. Their legacies are incredibly important. Take, for example, Queen Elizabeth II’s Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. With over three million trees planted around the world in the last years of her reign, it’s an extraordinary living legacy that reflected her global reputation. King Charles’ work through The King’s Foundation is, for me, one of his greatest achievements. To see firsthand the lives transformed by that work has been remarkable. And Prince William, through the Earthshot Prize, has created an ambitious and hopeful environmental initiative that is already driving positive change globally. Together, they represent continuity, evolution, and long-term impact. The Princess of Wales has been a great advocate for young people and both the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne work incredibly hard both in public and behind the scenes.