Royal photographer Arthur Edwards MBE has revealed that King Charles asked him "Are you okay?" the day after the Queen's death, a gesture he describes in his new memoir. Edwards, who has documented the Royal Family for five decades, shared the encounter in his book Cup of Tea, Arthur? My Extraordinary 50 Years Photographing the Royal Family.
A planned photograph that changed
Edwards had contacted the Clarence House press office to arrange a photograph of Charles, who turns 78 today, arriving back in London following the Queen's death in September 2022. He hoped to recreate an iconic image from 1952, when the late Queen returned from Africa after the death of her father, King George VI.
At that time, the young Elizabeth, dressed entirely in black, descended the steps of a BOAC Argonaut aircraft and was greeted by then Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, who wore a black top hat. Edwards wanted to capture a similar moment as Charles began his reign, with the new monarch returning to the capital after his mother's death at Balmoral.
More than half a million people were tracking Charles's flight as it travelled from Aberdeen towards RAF Northolt in west London. His aircraft, KRH20R, was making its two-hour journey to the capital.
A candid exchange
However, when the Embraer Legacy 600 touched down, Edwards quickly realised his plans would have to change. He recalled: "When the Embraer Legacy 600 landed, I realised it was a small aircraft with a very short set of steps. There was no way my idea of recreating the Queen's 1952 arrival photo would work."
Charles, who was wearing a dark suit, stepped off the plane and greeted the commander of the base before approaching the photographer. Edwards offered his condolences to the new monarch, saying: "Your Majesty, I'm so sorry for your loss."
Charles responded with a candid reflection on his mother's death, telling him: "It was inevitable, it had to happen one day." But it was what the King said next that left a lasting impression on Edwards.
A lasting impression
Despite having just lost his mother and facing the enormous responsibility of becoming sovereign, Charles turned his attention towards the photographer. Edwards recalled how the monarch patted him on the arm before asking him three simple words: "Are you okay?"
The gesture particularly struck Edwards, who was conscious that Charles was experiencing an extraordinary personal loss while simultaneously beginning a new chapter in his life. He wrote: "There he was on the first day of the job he had waited for all his adult life, grieving for his dear mother, and yet Charles was concerned about me."
Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral on 8 September 2022, aged 96. She had spent much of the summer at her Scottish estate and passed away after reigning for 70 years. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes across the UK and around the world, with senior members of the Royal Family travelling to Balmoral after doctors became concerned about her health.
Charles paid tribute to his mother in a statement, describing her passing as a "moment of great sadness" for himself and his family. He said: "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother." He also acknowledged the extraordinary affection in which the late monarch was held, adding: "I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
