• A series of never-before-seen images of the British royal family taken by members of the public are going on display this week. This image of Queen Elizabeth II smiling at the opening of The Lowry in Salford was taken by David from Leeds in 2000. All photos: PA
    A series of never-before-seen images of the British royal family taken by members of the public are going on display this week. This image of Queen Elizabeth II smiling at the opening of The Lowry in Salford was taken by David from Leeds in 2000. All photos: PA
  • The photographs form part of the Historic Royal Palaces’ 'Life through a Royal Lens' exhibition. One of the photographs on display is this photograph of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receiving a posy of flowers after the Sandringham Christmas service, taken by Amy from London.
    The photographs form part of the Historic Royal Palaces’ 'Life through a Royal Lens' exhibition. One of the photographs on display is this photograph of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receiving a posy of flowers after the Sandringham Christmas service, taken by Amy from London.
  • Prince Charles on horseback during a polo match in Oxfordshire in the mid-1980s, taken by Gilbert from London.
    Prince Charles on horseback during a polo match in Oxfordshire in the mid-1980s, taken by Gilbert from London.
  • Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, presents the Colours to the Royal Canadian Regiment in Canada in 2013, captured by Simon from Toronto.
    Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, presents the Colours to the Royal Canadian Regiment in Canada in 2013, captured by Simon from Toronto.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne at Ascot in 2018, shot by Laura from London.
    Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne at Ascot in 2018, shot by Laura from London.
  • The queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Derby, 1977, taken by Pamela from Derby.
    The queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Derby, 1977, taken by Pamela from Derby.

World

UK

Public’s snapshots of royal family to go on display at Kensington Palace

One photographer said: 'I was so pleased to be in just the right spot'

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

July 05, 2022

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Royal fans with an eye for photography will have their images exhibited at a new show in London.

Images include a smiling Queen Elizabeth II, a black and white Prince Charles on horseback and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receiving flowers.

The photographs form part of Historic Royal Palaces' “Life through a Royal Lens” exhibition, which also includes work by renowned photographers Norman Parkinson, Rankin, Annie Leibovitz and Cecil Beaton.

David from Leeds, one of the photographers whose image of Queen Elizabeth is on display, said: “It was pouring with rain and [the queen] had just returned from Balmoral [Castle].

“I asked if she had brought the Scottish weather with her. She chuckled and said, at least the dogs seem to love it.”

The monarch and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, can be seen in another photograph driving past crowds of well-wishers in Derby in a throwback image taken during the queen's silver jubilee in 1977.

  • Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, is seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, in August 1935. All photos: Getty Images
    Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, is seated between her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary as they ride in a carriage back to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, in August 1935. All photos: Getty Images
  • US president Dwight Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth inspecting a Guard of Honour at the gates of Balmoral, Scotland, in 1959.
    US president Dwight Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth inspecting a Guard of Honour at the gates of Balmoral, Scotland, in 1959.
  • Prince Andrew perches on Prince Philip's lap during a picnic in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, with the queen, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, in 1960.
    Prince Andrew perches on Prince Philip's lap during a picnic in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, with the queen, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, in 1960.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip by a waterfall in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1972.
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip by a waterfall in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1972.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with highland cattle at Balmoral in 1972.
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with highland cattle at Balmoral in 1972.
  • The queen, Princess Diana, and Prince Charles share a joke as they attend the Braemar Highland Games in 1982.
    The queen, Princess Diana, and Prince Charles share a joke as they attend the Braemar Highland Games in 1982.
  • Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by Scottish flags as she watches the procession along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to mark the formal opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2004.
    Queen Elizabeth is surrounded by Scottish flags as she watches the procession along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to mark the formal opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2004.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive to officially open the new headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Gogarburn, in 2005.
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive to officially open the new headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Gogarburn, in 2005.
  • The queen visits Stirling Castle, the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in 2007.
    The queen visits Stirling Castle, the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in 2007.
  • The queen and Prince Philip attend the Braemar Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in 2007.
    The queen and Prince Philip attend the Braemar Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in 2007.
  • Queen Elizabeth, alongside Prince Charles, is presented with one of the first copies of 'Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, The Official Biography' by author William Shawcross in the garden at Birkhall, the Scottish home of the prince, in 2009.
    Queen Elizabeth, alongside Prince Charles, is presented with one of the first copies of 'Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, The Official Biography' by author William Shawcross in the garden at Birkhall, the Scottish home of the prince, in 2009.
  • The royal family watch proceedings from their box at the 2009 Braemar Highland Games.
    The royal family watch proceedings from their box at the 2009 Braemar Highland Games.
  • The queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles leave the 'Hebridean Princess' boat after a family holiday around the Western Isles of Scotland, in Scrabster in 2010.
    The queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles leave the 'Hebridean Princess' boat after a family holiday around the Western Isles of Scotland, in Scrabster in 2010.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Pope Benedict XVI leave the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, after a visit by the pope in 2010.
    Queen Elizabeth and Pope Benedict XVI leave the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, after a visit by the pope in 2010.
  • The queen meets guests at a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, in 2014.
    The queen meets guests at a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, in 2014.
  • The queen and Prince Philip arrive at 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' in Rosyth Dockyard in Fife, where she formally named the Royal Navy's biggest ever ship in 2014.
    The queen and Prince Philip arrive at 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' in Rosyth Dockyard in Fife, where she formally named the Royal Navy's biggest ever ship in 2014.
  • Queen Elizabeth attends the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park.
    Queen Elizabeth attends the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park.
  • First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on board the steam locomotive 'Union of South Africa' in 2015, in Edinburgh.
    First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on board the steam locomotive 'Union of South Africa' in 2015, in Edinburgh.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles watch competitors at the Braemar Gathering in 2016.
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles watch competitors at the Braemar Gathering in 2016.
  • Queen Elizabeth and Prince William visit AG Barr's factory, where the Irn-Bru drink is manufactured, in Cumbernauld in 2021.
    Queen Elizabeth and Prince William visit AG Barr's factory, where the Irn-Bru drink is manufactured, in Cumbernauld in 2021.
  • The queen during an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Balmoral in 2021.
    The queen during an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Balmoral in 2021.
  • The queen and Prince Charles pose at Balmoral Estate Cricket Pavilion with children from nearby Crathie Primary School, to mark the start of the official planting season for the queen's Green Canopy in October 2021.
    The queen and Prince Charles pose at Balmoral Estate Cricket Pavilion with children from nearby Crathie Primary School, to mark the start of the official planting season for the queen's Green Canopy in October 2021.

The queen, dressed in bright yellow, and her daughter, the princess royal, appear in another photo travelling side by side in a carriage at Ascot in 2018.

Laura from London, who took the picture, said: “I was so pleased to be in just the right spot in the parade ring to catch the queen and the princess royal looking jubilant and lovely, clearly anticipating the day at the races ahead of them.”

The curators at Historic Royal Palaces — along with a guest judge from royal jewellers Garrard — selected a total of 50 images to feature in two evolving digital displays.

The 25 images that will open the show at Kensington Palace on July 6 will eventually be replaced with 25 new contributions.

Kensington Palace is the birthplace of Queen Victoria and the official London residence of the duke and duchess of Cambridge

Amy from London, who took a picture of the duchess receiving flowers at Sandringham, said: “I've often been to Sandringham with my aunt to see the royals on Christmas Day as my family lives nearby in Lincolnshire.

“Kate was asking a young girl about her Christmas dinner plans and had been given so many flowers she could barely hold them all.

“It was so worth getting up early and standing in the cold to take this photo, which I think shows Kate's natural warmth and affinity towards children.”

Claudia Acott Williams, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “The digital display they will form is an amazing way of sharing these unique moments in time, to appreciate just how special those interactions with the royal family are to the participants, and to illustrate how photographs create a lasting sense of connection.

“They will be shown alongside the work of world-renowned photographers and will help to bring to life the story of royal image-making in this platinum jubilee year.”

About 1,000 images were submitted following a public appeal to share memories of the royal family.

Queen's coronation images

  • Norman Hartnell's sketch for the design chosen to be Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress. Photo: The Royal Collections
    Norman Hartnell's sketch for the design chosen to be Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress. Photo: The Royal Collections
  • The queen's coronation gown and the Robe of the Estate, on display at Buckingham Palace in 2013. Photo: The Royal Collections
    The queen's coronation gown and the Robe of the Estate, on display at Buckingham Palace in 2013. Photo: The Royal Collections
  • Left, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after the queen's coronation on June 2, 1953, in Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty Images / Royal Collection Trust
    Left, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after the queen's coronation on June 2, 1953, in Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty Images / Royal Collection Trust
  • Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress, designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, is on show as part of the The Queen's Coronation exhibition at Windsor Castle in celebration of her platinum jubilee.
    Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress, designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, is on show as part of the The Queen's Coronation exhibition at Windsor Castle in celebration of her platinum jubilee.
  • The Robe of the Estate by Ede & Ravenscroft with the dress.
    The Robe of the Estate by Ede & Ravenscroft with the dress.
  • A Tudor rose, by glass artist Max Jacquard for the Superbloom exhibition at the Tower of London, as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations. Photo: Max Jacquard
    A Tudor rose, by glass artist Max Jacquard for the Superbloom exhibition at the Tower of London, as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations. Photo: Max Jacquard
  • Max Jaquard's reworking of the Irish shamrock from the gown. Photo: Max Jacquard
    Max Jaquard's reworking of the Irish shamrock from the gown. Photo: Max Jacquard
  • Max Jacquard's reworking of the Scottish thistle from the gown. Photo: Max Jacquard
    Max Jacquard's reworking of the Scottish thistle from the gown. Photo: Max Jacquard
Updated: July 06, 2022, 5:14 AM
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