Royal Photographer Speaks About Working With Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry And Other Royals

Royal photographer Chris Jackson is opening up about his experience capturing the most important moments and moves of the members of the British royal family.

The multi-award-winning Getty Images photographer has been working closely with the royal family for nearly two decades. Jackson captured Prince William taking Prince George to the young royal's first day of school in 2017, documented Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2018 Australia tour and photographed Queen Elizabeth II for a new Canadian portrait last year.

During an interview with People, Jackson explained that the difference between royal photography and celebrity photography is the "depth with which you get to know your subjects."

"Celebrity photography is one thing — you are photographing a much bigger roster. With royals, you have the opportunity to build up an in-depth knowledge of their personalities," he explained.

The "Modern Monarchy" author shared some insights into the different approaches that the members of the royal family use in their duties.

Prince Harry, with whom he has forged a close working bond, has "a real energy to his engagements," said Jackson.

He added that the Duke of Sussex brings "an element of unpredictability which has always been special. One example of that was when he joined a charity run in Rio de Janeiro and he ended up finishing the race with a face mask on. You literally couldn't have predicted that."

The photographer also noted that the Queen and her son Prince Charles have different approaches to royal engagements.

"The Prince of Wales is very interactive with people and expressive," Jackson told People. "The Queen moves about engagements in a different way to the Prince of Wales."

Jackson went on to share that photographing the royal children "always makes you smile behind the camera, and I love that." He explained that working with the youngest royals "is a different, exciting kettle of fish" because "there is a real energy to the engagement, which is great fun."

He also praised Prince Charles' wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, describing her as someone who was "absolutely awesome to photograph." According to Jackson, Camilla understands that he and other photographers "are doing a job."

Jackson has a new book coming out titled "Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time," which is a "beautiful visual record of her extraordinary reign over the past 20 years leading up to her Platinum Jubilee," according to its description. The book will be released on Oct. 12.