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A royal photographer shared his favorite photos of King Charles and Camilla ahead of the coronation

Talia Lakritz   

A royal photographer shared his favorite photos of King Charles and Camilla ahead of the coronation
Royal photographer Chris Jackson shared his favorite photos of King Charles and Camilla in honor of the coronation.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
  • Chris Jackson has photographed King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, for the last 20 years.
  • He shared his favorite photos of the royal couple ahead of the coronation on May 6.

Getty Images royal photographer Chris Jackson has spent the last 20 years photographing royal family members, including King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort.

He has published three photography books featuring his images of the royals: "Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time," "Modern Monarchy," and "Charles III: A King and His Queen."

Ahead of Charles' coronation on Saturday, May 6, Jackson shared some of his favorite photos of Charles and Camilla through the years.

In 2010, Jackson photographed Charles and Camilla chatting with Australian entertainer Barry Humphries as his persona Dame Edna Everage at The Prince's Trust Rock Gala.

In 2010, Jackson photographed Charles and Camilla chatting with Australian entertainer Barry Humphries as his persona Dame Edna Everage at The Prince
King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Camilla, Queen Consort (then Duchess of Cornwall), with Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage at The Prince's Trust Rock Gala in November 2010.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Humphries, who died in April at the age of 89, was best known for playing the outrageous housewife character Dame Edna, which he debuted in 1955.

Jackson told Insider that Humphries "certainly had the ability to get the King and Queen in stitches during many occasions."

During a royal tour of South Africa in 2011, Jackson snapped a photo of Camilla trading her tiaras for a Zulu headdress.

During a royal tour of South Africa in 2011, Jackson snapped a photo of Camilla trading her tiaras for a Zulu headdress.
Camilla, Queen Consort (then Duchess of Cornwall) wears a traditional Zulu headdress she was given as she visits the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2011.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

"I've always loved photographing the Queen Consort," Jackson said. "The key to her success has undoubtedly been a great sense of humor, her work ethic, and ability to connect with people across different cultures, countries, and backgrounds."

For Jackson, taking photos on this royal tour proved more difficult than usual.

"I loved this particular photo as I'd actually crashed my bike in Richmond Park in the preceding month and had to have reconstructive surgery," he said. "I couldn't see out of one eye and spent the whole African visit wandering around with my neck cricked trying to peer out of my one good eye."

On another royal tour, Jackson photographed Camilla and Charles in front of the Akshardham Temple in Delhi, India, in 2013.

On another royal tour, Jackson photographed Camilla and Charles in front of the Akshardham Temple in Delhi, India, in 2013.
Camilla, Queen Consort (then Duchess of Cornwall), and King Charles (then Prince of Wales) on an official visit to India in November 2013.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Jackson told Insider he laid down on the temple's floor to get this shot during the couple's nine-day visit to India.

"Royal tours are by far the most enjoyable but also very challenging parts of my job," Jackson said. "I've been lucky enough to travel all around the world with the King and Queen. Queen Elizabeth II once said, 'I have to be seen to be believed,' and that remains true for all members of the royal family. Meeting as many people across as many different cultures and backgrounds globally remains integral to their success."

In 2019, Charles and Camilla posed at a masked ball for Elephant Family, a wildlife charity founded by Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand.

In 2019, Charles and Camilla posed at a masked ball for Elephant Family, a wildlife charity founded by Camilla
Camilla, Queen Consort (then Duchess of Cornwall), and King Charles (then Prince of Wales) hold face masks as they host a reception for the Elephant Family Animal Ball at Clarence House in London in June 2019.      Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Shand was at an Elephant Family charity event in 2014 when he fell and sustained a serious head injury, resulting in his death at the age of 62, according to the BBC.

He served as chairman of Elephant Family, and Charles and Camilla have remained involved as co-presidents, hosting charity events like the 2019 masquerade at Clarence House.

"His passion for the environment is clear," Jackson said of Charles' charity work. "I have visited many rainforests and areas of climate devastation around the world over the years, and he is a passionate advocate for the environment."

Jackson caught Charles and Camilla laughing together in February at an event for Camilla's charity, The Reading Room.

Jackson caught Charles and Camilla laughing together in February at an event for Camilla
King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, laugh during a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room at Clarence House in February 2023.      Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Camilla launched The Reading Room during lockdown in January 2021. She began sharing reading lists on Instagram, which grew into an online community promoting literacy and featuring talks with authors.

"This image is from a few months back where you'll see the King supporting his wife as she celebrates two years of The Reading Room," Jackson said.

He continued: "The Queen Consort has long championed a love of reading across generations, celebrating books from around the world and the extraordinary people who create them."

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