I was lucky enough recently to be booked to act as Host camera during the visit of HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to one of the Oxford colleges. Since my NUJ Freelance days, I’ve frequently photographed members of the royal family including a young, shy Diana, but the importance of these events to all involved does crank up the pressure and the kit gets checked pretty thoroughly before the off.
I was amazed (and a bit delighted, if I’m honest) to discover at the press briefing that photographic royalty was also covering the visit, in the form of Arthur Edwards MBE, Royal Photographer for The Sun. Arthur is a bit of a celeb in his own right these days.
Royal photographer Arthur Edwards chats with the Duchess of Cornwall
It was a hoot watching his charming tussle with the Clarence House press officer, as Arthur ducked and dived to get his shots, whilst never quite overstepping the mark. We all know that a Rota pass is worth it’s weight and is easily lost. So direct interaction – “Over here, Camilla, love” - will not go down well. You observe and take photographs from an agreed ‘safe’ working distance, only during designated activities and never whilst a Royal is eating or drinking. Please don’t expect to pose or set up your shots. If you miss it, it stays missed and woe betide you if it was the shot your picture editor was expecting to drop onto his front page.
That day we were all allowed a fair amount of leeway about changing position, with a beautiful college backdrop. What more could you hope for?Well, Mr Bean for a start, an alumnus of the college and for many, the right Royal icing on the cake that day.
Duchess of Cornwall and Rowan Atkinson
