Previously unseen photographs of the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III have been unveiled ahead of a new exhibition at Buckingham Palace. The images, part of a collection of over 150 items, will be displayed in the King's Gallery from May in an exhibition titled 'Royal Portraits: A Century of Photographs'. Among the highlights is a tender 1956 portrait of an eight-year-old Prince Charles with his sister, Princess Anne, taken by photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, who later became the Earl of Snowdon.
Curator Alessandro Nasini described the image as capturing a 'fun sitting' for the children, noting how the then-26-year-old photographer played with their reflections in mirrored doors. The exhibition, three years in the making, draws from the Royal Collection's vast archive of portrait photography. Nasini emphasised the royal family's understanding of photography's power to connect with a global audience, stating that every element of the portraits—from background to pose—is carefully chosen in collaboration between sitter and photographer.
Another never-before-seen image shows Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on 28 October 1958, during the State Opening of Parliament. The exhibition also features a portrait of the Queen taken just 20 days after her accession in 1952, commissioned for use on banknotes and stamps but ultimately rejected due to unsuitable pose and jewellery. A vibrant print by Andy Warhol from his 1985 'Reigning Queens' series, incorporating 'diamond dust' for added texture, will also be on display.
Handwritten notes from photographers to staff, including instructions such as 'Please do not cut,' offer a glimpse into the creative process behind the images. A striking portrait of Princess Margaret in a tulle ballgown for her 19th birthday contrasts with a more intimate photograph taken by Lord Snowdon 18 years later, reflecting their personal connection. The exhibition runs from May at the King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
