The Getty Images photog talks to Vanity Fair about his new book, Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family Today and why he feels “we have entered a new era for the British royal family.”
Vanity Fair: You’ve spent two decades photographing the British monarchy for Getty Images, how did you approach selecting the thousands of images included in this book? Chris Jackson: Yes, at first it can be totally overwhelming to go through over two decades of photographs of the royal family, but it can also be an incredibly enjoyable experience.
This is my third book so I’ve learned to break the whole book down into more manageable subjects and then work from there—sometimes I come across photos I forgot I’d taken! It’s always a lovely experience to revisit past trips and events around the world; they bring back the sounds, sensations, tastes and even smells of some of those special places the royal family has traveled around the world or historic moments when every second counted to capture the image of the day. Is there anything that might surprise fans of the British monarchy to be found in your book? I’m super excited for everyone to see this book. The cover image means so much to me, and it really encapsulates and brings full circle over 20 years of royal photography. Being there on that historic day behind the king and queen was something I will never forget. The crowns, the crowd and the history: it was a special moment. It meant a lot to be able to share that experience. Hearing the roar of the crowd as they came out onto the balcony and feeling the pressure of the job I had to do was unforgettable. What I was most excited about was also including some of the photographs taken backstage at the coronation of King Charles. I hope they transport the viewer to that moment in the corridors of Buckingham Palace on that historic day. Bringing all these images together in a book was also a fabulous opportunity to delve deeper into all the key players in the royal family active today: their personalities, passions, causes, and careers. I hope the book takes the viewer “behind the scenes” to those slightly offbeat moments that always make me smile, fleeting interactions and moments of humanity behind the pageantry and public ceremony that I have of course also included, but hopefully from a slightly different perspective. Prince George waving to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in Trooping the Colour and bursting into smiles when they respond to him, or King Charles caught by surprise in a storm in Jersey looking up at the sky as torrential rain watered down the parade. Anyone who has seen any of my previous books knows that these photos include a very personal perspective and are not simply “fan” books of the royal family; I hope they capture some of the nuances and personalities of the crowds, the royals, and the environments in which we find ourselves. And for those less familiar with the royal world, what do you think they will appreciate most about this book? The title of the book, Modern Majesty, is important to me because I think we have entered a new era for the British royal family and I hope it gives the viewer a glimpse into a world that so many people are not fortunate enough to witness or immerse themselves in. I would like to think that this is not your typical book about the royal family and that each photograph tells a story and offers the viewer a unique perspective on the world's most famous family. We all remember Queen Elizabeth II, an iconic figure who was revered and respected around the world, and someone I always thoroughly enjoyed photographing. But since King Charles became king, I have noticed a significant change in the way things are done. I have always been a great admirer of King Charles, of his ability to connect with people around the world across cultures and languages, his incredible work ethic and dedication to duty, elements that I analyze and illustrate in the book. Take the cover of the book as an example. Capturing that moment from behind the royal couple on the balcony of Buckingham Palace was something that would never have been allowed during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. It signaled a change. King Charles has certainly approached aspects of the role differently, as one would expect, diversifying and modernizing. For me, the title encapsulates how the royal family is moving forward, honoring tradition while adopting a more open and modern approach to the monarchy. In these two decades as a witness to a world that remains largely inaccessible to many, do you feel anything has changed? Undoubtedly. With the passing of Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, we have entered a new era, and much has changed. I’ve noticed even during King Charles’ reign how the public’s response to him has evolved. He always generated enormous respect around the world as Prince Charles, but this public perception has itself evolved over the years since he has been king, and I see it in the crowds around the country who gather to greet both him and the queen, excited and respectful in anticipation of meeting them. I remember traveling to Germany on the first state visit with the king and queen, there was a tangible sense of admiration and warmth as the royal couple spent nearly 45 minutes greeting a huge crowd that had gathered in the square despite the rain. Since then, I have seen that respect continue to grow. At many events, the crowds that greet them seem to have grown exponentially, reflecting a renewed connection between the monarchy and the public. What does the job of a photographer like you who is primarily dedicated to documenting a country’s monarchy really involve? What challenges or distinctive aspects does it entail? Being a royal photographer can be a demanding job. There are late nights, early mornings, travel around the world, and a schedule that can be very intense. That said, it’s also a huge honor and privilege. You find yourself present at incredible and historic moments, literally in the front row of history being written before your eyes. It is my duty to try to convey those moments through my lens to the world. Challenges can range from scheduling incompatibilities between different members of the royal family, to travel logistics, to gaining access to certain events. It’s not always possible to be everywhere at once and managing that can be difficult. But that unpredictability is also part of what makes the role so dynamic and, at times, unexpected. As a real photographer you have no control over what time of day events happen; the light, the weather, everything can pose challenges, but it’s part of the job to make the most of what you’re given. I love that unexpected side; sometimes the lack of control over the subject and environment adds excitement and anticipation. Things don’t always go according to plan, but when they do go well it’s a real release, and I’ve learned to handle disappointment when they don’t go as I expected after 20 years. 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 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. A photographer’s skill is often revealed in their ability to capture the personalities of the people they portray. How would you describe the personalities of Elizabeth II, Charles III and, the future King William? Each member of the royal family is completely different, and that’s one of the privileges of photographing them over time, learning to capture those differences. Queen Elizabeth had an extraordinary sense of calm, duty, and subtle humor. King Charles brings a deep curiosity, warmth, and intellectual engagement to his role. And Prince William combines a strong sense of responsibility with a more informal and approachable manner that connects with many of the young people he meets. The Princess of Wales has a warmth and friendliness with many of the people she meets and is very natural with young people, always putting herself at their level and taking time to chat. Often walks greeting the public are lengthened because she tries to meet as many people as possible. Understanding these nuances is essential to capturing authentic images. In the synopsis of your book, we read that Modern Majesty “illuminates the balance between tradition and transformation,” a balance that in recent years seems particularly complex. How have you perceived that delicate balance in this most recent period? The last few years have certainly been complex for the British royal family, marked by significant challenges and moments of uncertainty. But what has been striking to document is their resilience. There have been headwinds, but time and again we have seen the institution respond, adapt, and remain popular and respected. Capturing that balance—honoring centuries of tradition, while navigating contemporary realities—has been one of the defining elements of this period. Of all the images and moments you have captured, is there one that stands out in your memory? For me, the book cover photograph encapsulates much of my career. Having spent almost 25 years photographing King Charles and Queen Camilla, to be directly behind them on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at such a decisive and historic moment, capturing the crowns and the crowd in a single frame was extraordinary. I will never forget the sound of the cheers, the atmosphere, the mix of emotion and nerves I felt at that moment. It was a decisive moment—not only historically, but also personally. An overwhelming image of the Princess of Wales looking out from a masked car at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral also had a great impact. Many of those photographs during the COVID years, with royals wearing masks, made them practically “speak with their eyes” in the images. Queen Camilla always shone with her unique and interestingly designed masks. I imagine that maximum discretion is an essential part of your work, but are there any anecdotes from your years alongside the British royal family that you can share? One of my favorite moments was when I was photographing a family portrait to celebrate King Charles’ 70th birthday in the gardens of Clarence House, alongside the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. Aware that I needed everyone to be looking in the right direction, relaxed and smiling, I had a sort of brilliant idea. We arranged for a member of the palace team to dress up as a bear, who appeared mid-session behind me in the face of my “apparent” unfamiliarity. The reaction from the younger members of the family was immediate, complete hilarity. Luckily, he got exactly what he was hoping for: a beautiful, natural and joyful photograph. For years, people wondered what everyone was laughing about in that picture, so it’s special to be able to talk about these endearing moments in the book. I certainly look back and there is such a wide variety of moments throughout my career—from the lighthearted to the historic to the unexpected, but there are so many that made me laugh behind the camera. Originally published in Vanity Fair Spain
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