Behind the Crown: My Life Photographing the Royal Family

Product Information

A breathtaking collection of photographs capturing the modern British monarchy as never before seen, taken by the Royal photographer for the The Sun (UK) who has covered them for nearly half a century.

Edwards said: “It’s been such a privilege being able to photograph the royal family for more than 45 years. In particular King Charles III, who has done more for me over those years than I could ever have done for him. He is a visionary. Every time I go to photograph him and his lovely wife is as exciting as the first time I ever photographed him. He is already proving to be a great monarch. I’m so pleased to be working with HarperCollins on Behind the Crown. It’s a wonderful collection of my favourite pictures of all the members of the royal family over the years. I hope people enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed taking these pictures.” The publisher said: “With commensurate skill and unprecedented access, he has captured the candid moments when protocol is put aside, revealing the true personalities behind the Crown. This beautiful book is a treasure trove of glorious photography, along with Arthur’s own warm recollections of the stories behind his iconic shots. It is the perfect glimpse behind the scenes of the past 50 years of the British monarchy, from a truly unique perspective.” Arthur Edwards has been the Sun's Royal Photographer for over 45 years; the longest-serving of any newspaper. Originally from the East End of London, he is the man behind the most iconic photographs of the most famous family in the world. With commensurate skill and unprecedented access, he has captured the candid moments when protocol is put aside, revealing the true personalities behind the Crown. It is perhaps because of his affection and admiration for King Charles and Camilla that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are not among his favorite royals. In the interview with Stuff, the photographer is said to have used words such as “nasty” and “treacherous” to describe Prince Harry’s actions. Edwards says he doesn’t understand how the young man who was once the most popular member of the British royal family has now turned himself into “the most despised.” He says he also had a pleasant relationship with Harry. Indeed, he watched him grow up, before he left with his family for the United States, made the controversial Netflix documentary with his wife, and penned Spare: “In Africa once, we sat down after a long day and he offered to make me a cup of tea,” he tells Stuff. “He told me about why he was so excited about his charity work, and why it was so meaningful to him. He was a lovely guy. Now, his family won’t talk to him, because anything they say could end up in another book.” For 45 years I've chronicled the Royal Family for the Sun newspaper with my camera. I've witnessed their triumphs and disasters, their laughter and tears, when they've found love and when their relationships splinter. I'm there when they emerge from the maternity wing as wailing newborns and I'm there again when they marry before a joyous nation. And when they're laid to rest on those solemn occasions that this country marks so well, I'm on hand to capture history being made.Arthur Edwards has been the Sun’s Royal Photographer for over 45 years; the longest-serving of any newspaper. Originally from the East End of London, he is the man behind the most iconic photographs of the most famous family in the world. With commensurate skill and unprecedented access, he has captured the candid moments when protocol is put aside, revealing the true personalities behind the Crown. In July 1980, after just three years as The Sun’s royal photographer, a youthful Arthur Edwards was told that then-Prince Charles would be attending a polo tournament that would also be attended by a special young woman called Diana Spencer. Aside from the fact she was blonde, no details were known about the future king’s potential girlfriend, who would become one of the most photographed figures in the world. She also guides the King while the two are out in public. Their close friend and TV star Gyles Brandreth wrote in his book, Elizabeth, about the subtle way Camilla lets him know if she thinks he's talking to much.

For 45 years I’ve chronicled the Royal Family for the Sun newspaper with my camera. I’ve witnessed their triumphs and disasters, their laughter and tears, when they’ve found love and when their relationships splinter. I’m there when they emerge from the maternity wing as wailing newborns and I’m there again when they marry before a joyous nation. And when they’re laid to rest on those solemn occasions that this country marks so well, I’m on hand to capture history being made.” Edwards said Camilla, despite being Queen Consort, has never lost the "common touch", and is very supportive of the King. The thing about Camilla, which is I think her strongest point, she never lost the common touch, and she makes him laugh. I've got pictures of them in the book just laughing together," Edwards said. "She's just always there to support him, and that's her way."Arthur Edwards has been The Sun’s (UK) Royal Photographer for over 45 years; the longest serving of any newspaper. Originally from the East End of London, he is the man behind the most iconic photographs of the most famous family in the world. With commensurate skill and unprecedented access, he has captured the candid moments when protocol is put aside, revealing the true personalities behind the Crown.

HarperNonFiction has bagged a photographic history of the royal family by the Sun’s royal photographer Arthur Edwards.

Princess Beatrice and Queen Camilla promoted to new roles under King Charles III's reign

Edwards also has a very high opinion of the queen consort, Camilla, who disarmed him at first with her spontaneity: “Our first tour was the United States, and I remember going to a market north of Los Angeles, and someone gave her a peach or something and she started to eat it, which no royal would do! But she did. She really enjoyed it,” he tells People. “And I remember saying, ‘Diana would never do that.’ But she was different. And she brought a whole new meaning for Prince Charles. He’s now a much happier person. He’s contented. And he always refers to her as ‘my darling wife.’” At 86, Arthur Edwards is still active and refuses to retire. His next assignment as a photographer will be a first even for a veteran royal photographer like him: namely, a coronation. Having taken the first public photo of Diana, Edwards also lived through the drama of her death. In between, he watched her two sons, Princes William and Harry grow up. He is a staunch supporter of King Charles and the Queen consort, Camilla, and went from being an aggressive photographer to a friendly acquaintance who is incredibly loyal to his ‘subjects.’ Arthur Edwards has been The Sun's (UK) Royal Photographer for over 45 years; the longest serving of any newspaper. Originally from the East End of London, he is the man behind the most iconic photographs of the most famous family in the world. With commensurate skill and unprecedented access, he has captured the candid moments when protocol is put aside, revealing the true personalities behind the Crown.