Royal Photographers and their iconic photographs: the best of the best

[pipsfromthefuture]

Photography hobbyists and aficionados unite.

Welcome to the thread where you can display and discuss some of the most iconic photos captured by some of the most talented photographers.

These aren't your average Instagram photos. Oh no. These are the ones that live in your head rent free. The Marie Kondo of photos that spark joy. Where everything in the photo is perfection.

This thread is meant to be fun, light-hearted, and showcase the talents of those behind the lens.

Please do not derail, and do not use this thread to be snarky or have a dig about subjects you don't like, or to other posters. If you cannot keep in the spirit of the thread, then please don't participate or spoil it for others.

It is a lovely thread, thank you to everyone for joining in and sharing so many lovely pictures and interesting povs 💐

There's a couple of photographs of Diana that spring to mind.
I don't know if they can be called "iconic" - and I fear that word is now going to be frequently invoked if the perception is that too many pictures of the "wrong side" are used, whichever "side" that is - but they certainly caused a lot of discussion when they were published and broke new ground.
I'll have to do this over 2 posts because of my techy incompetence

One was the photograph of an engaged Diana when she was still working at a nursery: https://www.today.com/popculture/princess-diana-s-iconic-skirt-moment-photographer-arthur-edwards-shares-t111013

Considering that a photograph of TLQ, aged about 13, in a one-piece swimming costume about to take part in a swimming competition, was the biggest view of royal/soon-to-be royal leg ever seen, this - at the time - was sensational.
Apparently, Diana said: "My awful legs! Like piano legs!" to which Charles replied gallantly (and accurately): "They look pretty damn good to me"

Gorgeous thread. Some fabulous photos here.

My favourites:

Queen on her coronation day in her robes, and the weight of duty it conveys
Kate face on at Philip's funeral
The Testino Diana photos, which as someone else said still seem so fresh
Queen 'inspecting the troops' ones of Philip in his bearskin and the Harry one
Diana with Travolta
Queen and GC/GGC with Mia and the handbag

I think most of those I would count as 'iconic', but am enjoying loads that probably aren't too - anything that shows the Queen/Charles/etc. anyone in fits of laughter, or demonstrates the real warmth that obviously exists between them. Diana with her kids on the water flume.

Robert Kennedy one so bitter sweet, that family really was not lucky. We visited the Kennedy photos exhibition on Cape Cod last year, and loved it. Thanks to whoever mentioned the upcoming exhibition, will try and get there.

My favourite genre is Royals watching the Olympics. Those are the moments they seem like real people

The photographer wrapped all three in a single silk blue curtain. It really worked, huge gorgeous bit of fabric in the palace.

The other Diana one was this: https://princessdianabookboutique.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/9-march-1981-lady-diana-spencer-accompanies-prince-charles-to-goldsmiths-hall-in-that-lbd-little-black-dress/

Charles and Diana's first official engagement. I chose this link because the big furore was: did we see nipple/areola as she was bending to get out of the car.
The official (and, I'm sure, accurate) line was that it was just a shadow from one of the frills at the neckline.
Some satirical outlet at the time (Private Eye? Not the Nine O'clock News?) did a mock news item along the lines of: "The Palace have confirmed that what appeared to be Diana's nipple was actually a shadow caused by a freak eclipse of the moon..." or something).
She obviously liked the dress as it was by the Emanuels who went on to make her wedding dress.
The smaller furore was caused by her wearing all black which, apparently, the royals only did when in mourning.
I remember my mother hissing how "inappropriate" it was. She hated the RF but took a huge interest in them.
She'd have loved these threads.

Me too. My dad died around that time, we were very restricted in numbers for the funeral but fortunately we're a small family and we ditched any notion of distancing among ourselves for the few days. I'm sure the royals did the same behind closed doors, but I admire them for the way they behaved publicly - as so many other families were forced to do. A very strange time.

My other fave is royals competing at Olympics

I would class this as iconic

I may be in the minority, I liked the theatrics of that shot, interesting to learn how it came to be

My mam would have, too.

But I daren't think what she would have thought of H&M.

She never swore, but I'd bet there would have been a few Very Tight Lips and "hrummphing" noises.

Very true! The drama and theatrics normalised as simply being part of ‘business as usual’. Perhaps it’s the juxtaposition of it. And you’re right, now I’ve stoped to think about it, celebrity shots don’t have the same impact.

Loving these future queen's (future grand Duke of Luxembourg cropped out 😅)

Thanks to all for posting this great selection of photos; I'm thoroughly enjoying a browse.

Hard to pick a favourite but I think this one of “American Royalty” tugs at the heartstrings more than most. It's such a joyful wedding shot & powerfully poignant given the tragedy that was to come so soon afterwards.

The couple were killed when a light aircraft owned & piloted by Kennedy himself plunged into the sea while they were travelling to a family wedding. So very sad.

(BTW it isn't Robert Kennedy in the picture, it's John F Kennedy Jnr.)

Meghan looks like she has three legs in this photo!😂

Queen Margrethe of Denmark is just amazing. Obviously not promoting smoking but they make damn good pics.

Wouldn’t say it’s the most talented of photo’s taken but it’s was definitely taken just at the right moment!

Emma

I love these photos of Princess Mary.

she just had a presence about her.

Emotionalsupportviper

But I daren't think what she would have thought of H&M.

Funnily enough, my mother would have loathed them.

Which is odd, because it seems that a lot of people, who dislike the RF, support H&M because they "shine a light" on the shadowy palace or show you can do good works without being royal (while being royal). Or something.
Another poster once summed it up beautifully by quoting: "My enemy's enemy is my friend".

But I think my mother was was an equal opportunities disliker and would have taken badly agin H&M too.
I do remember her reaction to the Andrew/Koo Stark romance...

Place marking

I have never seen so many pictures of a public figure smoking on the job as I have of Margrethe! Apparently she gave up the habit last year after surgery on her back. After 63 years!

I was nearly right! I thought it was her mother, the Duchess of Kent!

Some gorgeous pictures here. Id love to be able to vote them down to the most iconic and put those in one post. The light and dark picture of Meghan at her wedding is such great artistic shot. The Queen alone at her husbands funeral I think will become iconic. Some of the ones of Princess Margaret are simply stunning and so of their era. I personally love the one of the Queen if full Garter get up and the threatening sky. There are some beautiful Katherine shots.

But the ones which give most joy are probably the candid shots of Royals showing warmth.

Seeing photos of Charlene on her wedding day always breaks my heart. She looked so sad the entire time.

I hope she's okay