Image courtesy of people.com
Everything must change, that also includes Great Britan’s Royal Family. The Royal Family has moved beyond the ceremonious representation of the British Empire, steeped in tradition, pomp, and ceremony. The Royal Family now embraces modernity evidenced in diversity and a much more accessible projection.
The modern Royal Family is catalogued in Chris Jackson’s new book, “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era.” On his book tour at New York City’s N.Peal boutique on the Upper East Side, Jackson spoke to Fashion Reverie about his inspiration for the book, his relationship with Great Britan’s Royal Family, and the changes that are afoot in this esteemed family.
Image courtesy of HELLO! Magazine
Fashion Reverie: How did you start your royal journey, so to speak?
Chris Jackson: It’s been 25 years now, and I started. I did a degree in physiology in college. I became passionate about photography while still in college and set up a dark room in my house. I shot morning, noon and night, eventually getting a job with Getty Images. The variety of photography was so special. One minute you are shooting a sporting event, and the next moment you are on some exotic location. You are a reportage photography one day and the next day you are shooting portraits. I just loved the variety.
Fashion Reverie: After three books of the Royal Family why did you entitle this book “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era”?
Chris Jackson: “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era” is very much about a new era for the British Royal Family. In my other books, obviously I show lots of photos of the iconic Queen Elizabeth II. However, in this new book, we are in the monarchy of King Charles who has changed things up a bit. The cover of the book is a bit shocking and never would have been used or seen in Queen Elizabeth II’s time.
Fashion Reverie: So before in Queen Elizabeth’s II time photography was head on not from behind.
Chris Jackson: Correct. So, the position that we present the Royal Family on the cover is a unique position.
Image courtesy of amazon.com
Fashion Reverie: Did you have to get certain approvals to be able to shoot the Royal Family from the back?
Chris Jackson: Yes, we did. We had to get approval from the palace. So, the cover is an example of things being done differently. Of course, we see the Prince and Princess of Wales meeting the public. There are selfies of the Royal Family in this book, something we had not seen much of in the past. We also see the Royal Family engaging with the public in way that makes them more accessible.
Fashion Reverie: So, this book goes back into 25 years with the Royal Family, which does not include Princess Diana.
Chris Jackson: I was not photographing the Royal Family while Princess Diana was still alive. This book does cover the 20th wedding anniversary of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Fashion Reverie: Did you attend Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding?
Chris Jackson: It was amazing attending and photographing their wedding. It was a beautiful spring day in Windsor Castle. I got great shots of them in the wedding carriage, and it was a great day for the nation. I have always enjoyed photographing Harry and Megan when they were working royals. Those photographs are not in this book, but in my other book.
Fashion Reverie: What process did you go through selecting the photos for this book?
Chris Jackson: It is hard and overwhelming. To try to break done 25 years of photos and categorize the images is daunting. However, I have a great team at Rizzoli. That said, I did have to cut out a lot of great images. I also enjoyed writing the stories behind the images.
Fashion Reverie: Is there a bit of fashion in “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era”?
Chris Jackson: The first thing that consumers and all of us, to the effect, notice about the Royal Family is what they are wearing. It might not be the focus of what they are doing or the event they are attending, but what they are wearing is important. The Royal Family are huge supporters of British fashion and British brands. And much is written about the Royals’ fashion.
The Princess of Wales is a fashion icon. And what the Princess of Wales wears helps amplify charities and causes she spearheads and supports. She is a big advocate of sustainability.
Image courtesy of The Sydney Morning Herald
Fashion Reverie: What do hope consumers will get from “Modern Majesty: The British Royal Family in a New Era”?
Chris Jackson: This is a personal look into the Royal Family with stories behind the images. Of course, this book contains the pomp and the ceremony, but there are genuine insights into the personalities of the Royal Family. You can see King Charles feeding his chickens, and how he and Queen relax. So, readers will get to see how the Royal Family gets to spend their downtown and well as all the pomp and ceremony of the royal duties.
William S. Gooch
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