Veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards has revealed the "rocky" start to his working relationship with King Charles, including a heated argument at Highgrove in 1980. In an interview with The Telegraph ahead of the release of his new book, Cup of Tea, Arthur? My Extraordinary 50 Years Photographing the Royal Family, next week, Edwards recalled an explosive exchange with the then-Prince Charles.
Edwards, who first met the King in 1976, said he was "crawling about in the undergrowth" all over the world in pursuit of the royals to photograph. He described ending one argument by shouting "At least I've got a job!" at the Prince as he galloped away from him at Highgrove.
A Relationship That Thawed Over Time
Their relationship has since improved, with the King previously praising Edwards as "a very good photographer, a jolly good bloke and a very special person". Edwards also revealed how the two address one another, saying: "He calls me Arthur, and I call him Sir. It's a good arrangement. And that's the way it will be until the day I die."
Edwards praised the King as "a very humble man", adding: "He's an extraordinary man, and one of the reasons I'm still working is because I like working with him, and I think he's pleased to see me when I turn up as well."
Memories of Diana and Views on Harry's Children
Edwards also recalled his playful relationship with the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in 1997, describing her as "not just a superstar but a megastar. But she was a nice megastar. She was fun".
The photographer also spoke about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, now aged seven and five, saying he believes they should receive royal protection now that they live in the UK. Referring to them as "a prince and princess of the House of Windsor", he added: "What were they doing in Montecito going to an American school, when they should be here playing with their cousins?"
Edwards said the children "should be getting to run around Balmoral and Windsor" and added: "They should get royal protection because if they were kidnapped, there would be uproar." He also admitted he is happy to see Harry back in the UK, adding that he will be better off in his home country than in the States.
