Photographing The Queen in Paris

Photographing The Queen in Paris was the most magical and nerve-wracking moment of my career.

Throwback to when I photographed The Queen in Paris at The British Embassy.  It’s The Queen’s 2nd birthday today. Did you know she celebrates 2 birthdays?

The queen turned 92 on her actual birthday on April 21, but she also has an official birthday that is celebrated every year on a Saturday in June. The reason for the second birthday has to do with the weather. Sovereigns whose real birthdays fall in colder months have often celebrated an official birthday on a different date in the hope of good weather for their birthday parade, known as the Trooping the Colour.

I was commissioned to photograph The Queen during her visit at The Embassy for 3 days. The events included photographing a private investiture (a knighting), The Queen’s birthday party and an official farewell.

Here is a small selection of photographs I took from the events.

 

Up on first seeing her it was seriously ‘a pinch me moment’. Her energy was the most beautiful I had ever encountered. It was as if she was floating around the room wrapped in light… Glowing… Really.

She performed an investiture ceremony ( a knighting ) I still can’t believe I saw that with my own eyes. A sword in her hands. It was unbelievable honour.

Prince Phillip accompanied her for the visit and upon their arrival he said a few words to me about my camera angle… Trying to be cheeky.  I blushed of course.

There was a moment when I was stood at the top of some stairs on the day of the farewell and the queen was but 1 metre from me. We were waiting for the next procession to happen and she looked at me and smiled and said something… I can NOT remember what it was. I just remembered thinking ‘ do I curtsy?, Shake hands, smile, thank you, ….   I hadn’t been briefed on that. I smiled and then luckily immediately the procession commenced.

I can’t believe how much of an honour this truly was.  A moment I’ll never ever forget. I’m incredibly lucky to have received such an opportunity.

 

 

Photographing The Queen in Paris – Paris Photographer

See more of my Paris work here:  Paris Photographer