Royal photographer Chris Jackson’s new book Modern Majesty unveils rarely seen photos of the British Royal Family. The Getty Images photographer, who has accompanied the royals for over two decades, to more than 100 countries and captured many personal and public occasions – talks about the stories behind his favourite photos.
Women’s Weekly is hosting an exclusive preview with Chris Jackson of his book Modern Majesty in Sydney this Thursday 9 April. Scroll to the end to find out how you can attend this exclusive event and see Chris in conversation with Women’s Weekly Editor Sophie Tedmanson.
Coronation Balcony
“Often in my job I talk about having a front row seat to historic moments but for this particular spot, behind the King and the Queen on the day of their Coronation at Buckingham Palace from a ‘never seen before angle’ (something that never happened in the reign of Queen Elizabeth) I really had to pinch myself! The cheers of the crowd, the crowns, the history, it was a photo that had every element to make a historic image, and I was certainly feeling a bit of pressure on the day.
“Trying not to get spotted or in my fellow photographer’s images (who were positioned on the Queen Victoria Memorial in the distance) I had to raise my arm to get the correct camera angle for a brief moment as I captured the image with only seconds to spare. The sense of relief was palpable as I saw the image on the back of the camera. After over 20 years of photographing this royal couple, I felt like I had come full circle to be there for this moment.”
Rome Portrait
“It was a privilege to be invited to take this photograph in Rome to celebrate the King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary during an official visit in 2025. Having photographethe royal couple for over two decades it felt very special to capture such an important moment in their story. With oranges scattered on the path and the Neronian spur of the Aqua Claudia, an ancient Roman aqueduct, rising in the background, the early evening light cast a stunning glow over the scene.”
Princess of Wales at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Funeral
“Sometimes, some of your most well-known images come at the least likely moments. This particular photograph taken during the funeral for The Duke of Edinburgh, occurred in 2021 in the midst of tight COVID restrictions. I distinctly remember the limited amount of guests added to the solemnity of the moment and despite never being a fan of photographing people in masks (due to the inability to read emotions) I felt this was a powerful moment, rather than being standalone and formed an important part of the historical record of this day and this moment in time. Much of this event was covered by remote camera and I remember the profound responsibility of photographing this historic moment.”
Queen Camilla in Kenya
“My favourite moments on Royal Tour are when events are fluid and unexpected and the resulting photos are candid and warm. A visit to Kenya in 2003 presented one such moment as Queen Camilla, never afraid to get ‘stuck in’ was invited to dance by the charismatic and friendly ladies of Sauti Ya Wanawake (the Voice of Women) which was an empowerment movement in Mombassa. As a downpour flooded the streets of the city outside, Queen Camilla was treated to a tour of the facility and met volunteers and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, a cause close to her heart. In this, my favourite photograph from the visit, Camilla joined in the harmonious choir’s traditional dancing as she was about to leave. Judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces, it was clearly something everyone enjoyed!”
Catherine at the Coronation
“Catherine, Princess of Wales, looks incredible in a bespoke headpiece designed by milliner Jess Collett (in collaboration with Sarah Burton) as she shares a joke with King Charles III and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh after the Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. It was an honour to capture such behind the scenes moments on a historic day when all eyes were on the UK. My book features some of these unseen moments and hopefully they transport the viewer to the corridors of Buckingham Palace on this historic day.”
Earthshot at Alexandra Palace
“This shot was taken behind the scenes at the inaugural Earthshot Awards at Alexandra Palace in October 2017. If The Prince of Wales was nervous at this, the first event of a project that he had put so much into, it didn’t show. I loved the symmetry of this moment in an image that pretty much epitomises ‘behind the scenes’ as the Royal couple emerge from a green room area. I had to pre-empt this moment and cross my fingers that it paid off as I waited on the other side of this black cloth divider. Royal photography is a mix of luck and preparation and when these two factors come together it can create a memorable image like this.”
Earthshot behind the Scenes
“The Princess of Wales has been a huge supporter of The Prince as he has taken his Earthshot prize around the World from London to Boston to South Africa, Singapore and Brazil. At this moment in time, as she put a comforting hand around his back after a successful inaugural show in London, no one could have predicted the global reach the awards have today and the number of lives it has touched though the multi-million pound prizes it has handed out to groundbreaking environmental initiatives around the world. I found this intimate moment symbolic of the overall support the Princess has given her husband throughout this important endeavour.”
The Australian Women’s Weekly x Chris Jackson Modern Majesty book launch
Women’s Weekly is hosting an exclusive preview of Chris Jackson’s Modern Majesty in Sydney this Thursday. Here’s how you can attend and meet Chris:
Event details:
- Thursday 9 April, 11am-1pm
- Women’s Weekly Editor Sophie Tedmanson will be in conversation with Chris Jackson from 11.30am
- Location: Fairfax & Roberts store, cnr King st and Sydney Arcade, Sydney
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