By Ina Michaelis-Ugwonno
There they are, the official coronation photos of King Charles III. (74)!
On Monday evening, the palace released the historical images taken after the Century Ceremony on Saturday were taken by court photographer Hugo Burnand (59).
King Charles and Queen Camilla (75) in full coronation regalia. Charles majestically enthroned with crown, scepter and orb. Camilla beaming in the Green Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
And of course there are also photos with heir to the throne Prince William (40) and wife Kate (41), who stand like one on the side of the newly crowned royal couple.
Prince William and his wife Kate (right) pose beaming alongside the royal couple
Photo: picture alliance / Newscom
However, what upset some royal fans when they took a closer look at the photos: Especially in Charles’ solo photo, the Imperial State Crown seems to be sitting crooked on his head!
“I love the photo, but couldn’t someone have their crown straightened?” The royal family’s Instagram page complained in the comments. Also, “The distance between the crown and his right and left eyebrow is not the same” and “He literally looks like he can’t take the weight of the crown. His posture is not upright.”
Court photographer Hugo Burnand captured King Charles III. and Queen Camilla in a wonderful way. You look happy and relaxed
Photo: picture alliance / Newscom
And the fact that Charles’ famous “sausage fingers” look so swollen again in such a historical photo does not go down well with some.
The photographer’s secret
By the way, the fact that the court photographer didn’t fall out of his feet with excitement when he snapped the king, queen and other members of the royal family for the official coronation photos was because they’ve known each other forever.
Hugo Burnand explained to CBS News that the secret behind accomplishing such a monumental task lies in good, old-fashioned personal relationships, like his own with the king and queen.
Queen Camilla in Coronation Robe in the Green Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace
Photo: picture alliance / Newscom
That’s why Hugo Burnand didn’t think too much in advance, they say. Because when the photographer is behind the camera, it’s more about capturing the right moment, the right feeling, the right emotion. “If you’re thinking too much, your mind is distracted and you can’t connect with the person,” he says of the way he works.
streamlined monarchy
In 2005, Burnand photographed Charles and Camilla’s wedding. So now, with his photos, he also immortalized the most important day in the life of King Charles III, which he had worked towards for so many decades.
What the official photos of the coronation also clearly show in addition to the stately royal couple: the streamlined monarchy. In addition to Charles and Camilla, only working royals of the royal family can be seen in a group photo.
For the renegade Prince Harry (38) or also Sleazy Prince Andrew (63) is no place in the official palace photos that will last for generations.
Seen in the group photo (left to right): The Duke of Kent, The Duchess of Gloucester and her husband, The Duke of Gloucester, Sir Tim Laurence and Princess Anne, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Duchess Sophie , Princess Alexandra and Prince Edward
Photo: picture alliance / Newscom
The fact that Princess Anne (72), the sister of British King Charles III, is standing by his side in the official coronation pictures is also considered to be an “extremely important” signal. “It shows how much he appreciates her and how much he will rely on her,” Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams explains to the “Daily Mail”.
“It’s an incredible honor to have been asked to take these pictures,” she said Photographer Burnand on his Instagram page announce. And: “I hope that I have done justice to our wonderful King and his Queen. Long live the king!”