King Charles image ‘signals a change’ in the monarchy, says royal photographer

When King Charles III and Queen Camilla waved to fans from the Buckingham Palace balcony after their 2023 coronation, one small detail ‘signalled a change in the monarchy.’

That is, according to Chris Jackson, British royal photographer for Getty Images. For almost two decades, he has been the man behind some of the most famous royal shots in existence.

The cover image on his latest book, Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era, is one Jackson believes would never have happened with Queen Elizabeth II at the throne.

Taken from inside the palace, behind the King and Queen, the image shows the pair looking out at thousands of fans crowded around the Victoria Memorial in celebration of the coronation.

While a brilliant picture in itself, Jackson says that the composition is the real reason the image is so important. Before King Charles’ reign, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was reportedly a stickler for certain royal rules and etiquette.

Photographing royals from behind is generally discouraged, considered bad manners, and seen as a privacy invasion. Instead, facing a royal and keeping eye contact maintains dignity, respect, and is proper protocol.

In modern times, it’s why the ‘no selfie’ policy was introduced — although the younger generation of royals tend to ignore this, including William and Kate.

Jackson told Vanity Fair: ‘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 signalled a change.’

It ushered in an era of modernising the monarchy, with the Prince and Princess of Wales having previously spoken about spoken about the need to make the royal family feel more relatable to the public and connect with younger generations.

During the interview, Jackson also highlighted the differences between the two monarchs. He described Queen Elizabeth as an ‘iconic figure who was revered and respected around the world,’ and someone whom he ‘thoroughly enjoyed photographing.’

However, following Charles’s ascent to the throne, Jackson has ‘noticed a significant change in the way things are done,’ and how the king has ‘approached aspects of the role differently.’

‘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,’ Jackson said.

The photographer added that his book ‘encapsulates how the Royal Family is moving forward, honouring tradition while adopting a more open and modern approach.’

King Charles’ unique coronation was just one example of his more relaxed reign. From cutting the ceremony down to one hour (his mother’s 1953 coronation lasted three hours) to relaxing the wardrobe (Kate opted for a floral headpiece over a tiara), there was also a strong focus on sustainability.

Many know of the monarch’s lifelong commitment to environmentalism, which is why the coronation was designed to be significantly more eco-friendly.

Key choices included re-using historic robes, chairs, and thrones, printing invitations on recycled card, and using vegan-friendly oil to anoint King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Previous coronations used holy oil that contained animal-derived ingredients like civet and ambergris.

Royal biographer Russell Myers recently spoke to US Weekly about William and Kate’s ‘totally different vision’ for the future of the royal family.

He explained: ‘It needs to be accountable, it needs to speak to the younger generation, not only at home, but abroad.’ Myers also stated that, when it’s time for Will and Kate to step up, they need to ‘create a system that works for the people.’

He added: ‘Certainly what they have tried to do is get their family home life right and then work on the public profile, and that’s very, very different to how the monarchy has been structured in generations beforehand.’

Elsewhere, when describing each senior royal and how their individual personalities have helped carry the monarchy through some dark times, Jackson said: ‘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.’

Of Queen Elizabeth, he recalled her ‘extraordinary sense of calm, duty, and subtle humor.’ When speaking of King Charles, he complimented his ‘deep curiosity, warmth, and intellectual engagement.’

Finally, he said that ‘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,’ while the Princess of Wales has a ‘warmth and friendliness with many of the people she meets.’

He also said that she and is ‘very natural with young people, always putting herself at their level and taking time to chat.’