London – As a Getty Images’ Royal photographer, Chris Jackson has documented Queen’s Elizabeth II official engagements over the past two decades, as well as private moments.
In a book published in 2021, he shared photos and impressions of “the monarch who has seen more of the planet and its people than any other head of state, and has engaged with them like no other monarch in British history”.
Now, after her death, he reflects on his moments with the Queen and selects some of his favourite pictures.
From physiology to photography
“I actually studied for a Physiology degree at University (BSc) I enjoyed it but my love was photography. I set up a darkroom in the cellar of my student house, unventilated and dingy it probably wasn’t the healthiest environment but I spent many hours down there developing pictures and learning the process.
After Uni I knew I wanted to be a photographer but with student debt I was sure how to get started…I spent a lot of time doing ‘work experience’ with various different types of photographers whilst struggling to pay my rent in London with various admin jobs.”
Getty images and the Royal role
“Eventually I decided I wanted to give it a go and managed to get a job at Getty Images as an account exec…to cut a long story short after a year or so I managed to transition over to photography after getting another loan to buy the digital equipment…it was the start of my career as a staff photographer.”
The Royal role really was an organic process as I built up contacts over the years and started to go on Royal tours and visits, I realised this was an area I loved and it was possible to build up an archive specific to this genre whilst keeping the photography fresh and interesting across a variety of styles from portraiture to reportage.
The Queen, the horses and the Royal Ascot
“I think I must have first photographed Elizabeth II at Royal Ascot, somewhere that became very familiar over the years – certainly one of the Queen’s favorite events!
When the Queen won the Gold Cup at Ascot the crowd were behind her, when her horse Estimate charged over the finish line to become the first Monarch to win the trophy in over 200 hundred years – incredible, it became clear how much that meant to her in the photograph as she was presented with the trophy.”
Sense of humour
“The fantastic thing is the Queen had a great sense of humour which certainly made things a little easier but of course any opportunity to photograph the Queen is a little nerve wracking, preparation and making your subject as relaxed as possible is definitely key!”
“I was always lucky to photograph other members of the family and also photograph the Queen on her daily engagements so always had something to talk about.”
Favourite moments
“I have so many favourite moments photographing the Queen. A lot of these are about the atmosphere and being PART of that moment, some incredible experiences.”
“In her latter years of course the Platinum Jubilee where the Queen made an emotional final appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace was incredible – She looked emotional as she looked out over the thousands of public who had gathered down the Mall – Those whole four days were so special to cover.
Unusual moments with The Queen
“I loved the moment The Queen met Donna The asian elephant in Whipsnade Animal Park alongside the Duke – A most unexpected Royal engagement but as Donna tried to snaffle a bannana from the Queen’s pocket they were both clearly enjoyuing the moment.
A group of rather worried looking zoo keepers out of shot were holding back the huge beast in case something went wrong – certainly one of the more unusual moments with The Queen!
Missing The Queen
Its quite simple, I will miss her smile.
She certainly wasn’t always smiling and never played up to the camera, she was totally genuine.
“And so as a photographer you had to be on the ball to capture those fleeting expressions and moments of humanity, expressions and interactions, I loved that about her.”
