For millions of royal watchers around the globe, the British Royal Family is a constant presence, yet their private lives remain largely shielded from the public eye. One of the few people granted a front-row seat to the most iconic moments in recent history is veteran royal photographer Chris Jackson. As a long-standing Getty Images photographer, Jackson has spent years documenting the evolution of the monarchy, from solemn state occasions to the candid, high-energy moments involving the youngest members of the royal household.<\/p>\n
In a recent appearance on the Royally Us<\/em> podcast, Jackson opened up about the unique challenges and joys of photographing Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. While promoting his latest book, Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family Today<\/em>, he offered a rare glimpse into the professional discipline required to capture the perfect shot while navigating the unpredictable nature of royal children.<\/p>\n Trooping the Colour is more than just a military parade; it is a vital fixture in the royal calendar that serves as a visual timeline for the family\u2019s growth. Jackson notes that because the public and the media have limited access to the children, these rare appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony carry immense weight. For a photographer, these events are not just about capturing the pomp and circumstance of the British military; they are about documenting the passage of time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t really get the opportunity to photograph the children very often, which is great, because it makes it all the more special,\u201d Jackson explained. He describes the balcony appearance as a \u201ctouch point\u201d for the family. By comparing images from year to year, observers can see the children mature, their personalities shift, and their roles within the family dynamic evolve. For Jackson, the balcony is a stage where the formality of the monarchy meets the genuine, unscripted reality of a growing family.<\/p>\n While Prince George and Princess Charlotte have long been accustomed to the spotlight, it is Prince Louis who has frequently stolen the show with his infectious, unfiltered energy. Over the years, Louis has become a fan favorite, known for his expressive faces, playful antics, and genuine curiosity during long, formal ceremonies. Jackson, who has been there to document many of these instances, admits that these moments are what make his job so rewarding.<\/p>\n According to Jackson, the unpredictability of the children is exactly what makes the photography \u201cexciting.\u201d While royal events are meticulously planned down to the second, the children provide the human element that keeps the coverage feeling fresh and relatable. Whether it is a wave, a grimace, or a moment of distraction, these small, humanizing details are what resonate most with the public.<\/p>\n Among the thousands of images Jackson has taken, the 2025 Trooping the Colour stands out as a particularly memorable occasion. During this event, Prince Louis once again broke the mold of traditional royal stoicism, providing photographers with a series of candid shots that captured his mischievous spirit. Jackson highlighted this event as a personal favorite, noting that the joy of his work lies in being ready for those split-second interactions that define a child\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n These moments are significant because they bridge the gap between the distant, historical institution of the monarchy and the everyday reality of being a child. By capturing these playful interactions, photographers like Jackson help to soften the public image of the royals, making them appear more approachable and grounded.<\/p>\n Photographing the royals is not as simple as showing up and clicking a shutter. It requires a deep understanding of protocol, an ability to blend into the background, and the patience to wait for the perfect light and expression. Jackson\u2019s work in Modern Majesty<\/em> showcases the technical skill required to balance the grandeur of the setting with the intimacy of the subjects.<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s approach is rooted in respect for the institution, but he is clearly driven by a desire to capture the humanity within it. His work serves as a historical record, ensuring that future generations can look back at these images and understand the personalities behind the titles.<\/p>\n Jackson emphasizes patience and the ability to remain unobtrusive. By being a consistent presence at royal events over many years, he has built a level of familiarity that allows the children to act more naturally while he works.<\/p>\n It is one of the few times the entire family gathers on the balcony, providing a consistent annual benchmark for how the children are growing and how the family dynamic is changing.<\/p>\n Prince Louis is known for his expressive, unfiltered reactions. Unlike adults who are trained to maintain a \u201croyal wave\u201d and a neutral expression, Louis\u2019s reactions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For millions of royal watchers around the globe, the British Royal Family is a constant presence, yet their private lives remain largely shielded from the public eye. One of the few people granted a front-row seat to the most iconic moments in recent history is veteran royal photographer Chris…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/influencerswiki.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Significance of Trooping the Colour as a Family Milestone<\/h2>\n
Capturing the Unpredictable Charm of Prince Louis<\/h2>\n
Memorable Highlights from the 2025 Trooping the Colour<\/h3>\n
The Art of Royal Photography: Patience and Preparation<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
How does Chris Jackson get such candid shots of the royal children?<\/h3>\n
Why is Trooping the Colour so important for royal photography?<\/h3>\n
What makes Prince Louis stand out in photographs?<\/h3>\n