16 May 2024 , 15:07
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Previously unseen photographs of the Royal Family make up a new exhibition at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace.
The pictures capture their more private and intimate moments - including one from 1943 in which King George VI sits at a desk in Royal Lodge at Windsor Castle, surrounded by his family.
In many ways, it is an unremarkable photo. And that was the point of it. Despite the royal setting, the scene was so familiar and ordinary. It was designed to promote the stability and unity of the Royal Family during a time of war.
Opening on 17 May, the exhibition will bring together one of the biggest collections of royal images and tell the family’s story over the past 100 years.
A young Princess Anne and King Charles, photographed by Lord Snowdon as part of a series to mark the prince’s eighth birthday
Other pictures are more unusual, including one in 1964 of four royal mothers who gave birth within two months of each other.
The late Queen, Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra were all photographed with their newborns.
The picture was taken as a gift for the doctor who delivered the children and has never been shown in public until now.
Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra and The Duchess of Kent hold their babies
In more recent times, photographer Hugo Burnand has documented events of national significance - including the King’s Coronation last May and the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011.
“There was one picture which I discussed with them which I hoped we might do, which was the picture of William and Catherine with all the bridesmaids. I call it The Tumble,” he said.
For the photographer, it was his best photo of the day.
It shows Prince William and the princess sitting in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony.
They are surrounded by their young bridesmaids and page boys as the formality of the day eases.
“We had three minutes to do it,” Mr Burnand said.
“But three minutes isn’t long to take a portrait and the reason I mention that is because all the movement and expressions are very spontaneous.
“They are from the people. They aren’t directed by me.”
The young pages and bridesmaids were bribed with jelly beans for Mr Burnand to capture this image of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ wedding day
As well as official photographs, some of Mr Burnand’s more informal work will also be on display.
His photo of the King and Queen Camilla sitting together in the garden of Clarence House is one of the most personal pictures taken of the couple.
The exhibition looks at the relationship of trust which has existed between royal sitter and royal photographer over the decades.
Cecil Beaton, Norman Parkinson and Patrick Lichfield all feature.
This image of the King and Queen sharing a private moment was used for their Christmas card in 2018
On occasion, it is about more than just the photo - some images show annotations and notes made by the photographer.
A picture of the late Queen and Prince Philip, in 1958, taken by the Earl of Snowdon gives an insight into discussions with the Royal Household around approval and circulation.
Written across the bottom of the photo are the words "background must be kept light" and "please do not cut".
This contact sheet shows Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret laughing and talking together during a shoot to mark their mother’s 80th birthday
This image of the late Queen, taken in 1968, is the curator’s favourite work in the exhibition
Everyone involved in the project has their favourites.
For curator Alessandro Nasini, it is a stark photo of the late Queen taken by Cecil Beaton in 1968.
“She’s not wearing any of the traditional royal trappings such as a tiara, important jewellery or insignia,” Mr Nasini said.
“She comes through as the woman behind the monarchy - the solitary person on whom the responsibility of the monarchy has been bestowed.”
This alternative view of Queen Elizabeth II, taken by Cecil Beaton on the day of her coronation, is less well known than the official portrait
Visitors will be able to see how the re-touching of images has happened since the earliest days of photography, and how the influence of traditional art on photography is explored in the exhibition.
A painting from 1864 of Alexandra, Princess of Wales is hung close to a photo of the current princess, taken in 2021 to mark her 40th birthday.
The influence of the painting on the modern photo is clear to see.
The collection is a reminder of the power of photography and how it has shaped the public perception of the Royal Family over the past century.
An image taken of the Princess of Wales in 2021 to mark her 40th birthday is part of the collection