Royal family photographer on his 15 years following the monarchy

In the 15 years since he became Getty Images’ royal photographer, Chris Jackson has burned through five passports. That’s a tremendous number of visas and rubber stamps, especially since he has the jumbo-sized, 50-page version rather than the standard 34.

Things don’t let up when he’s on home soil, either. As one of a small group of privileged photographers who divvy up the Royal Rota – the diary of royal engagements released to the press about eight weeks in advance – he trails each member of the family up and down the country, for the two to three thousand events they attend each year.

Sometimes it’s lighthearted stuff: the Duchess of Cornwall enjoying an ice cream with Dame Judi Dench, for instance, or the Prince of Wales on a climbing wall (in a pinstriped suit, tie and brogues, no less). But Jackson is there for all the historic moments, too: outside the Lindo wing at St Mary’s Hospital, London, for the arrivals of Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, or privy to the moment the Duke of Cambridge became the thousandth Knight of the Garter, the order of chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348.

Around 100 of the many thousands of pictures Jackson has taken in the line of duty are about to be published in a new book. Modern Monarchy: The British Royal Family Today is an affectionate portrait of the Royal family and comes at a fascinating moment: amid the immense popularity of the television drama The Crown, for instance, and hot on the heels of Prince Harry’s marriage to the former actress Meghan Markle. ‘There have been huge changes within the family recently,’ Jackson says. ‘But interest in them around the world only grows. It’s a real privilege to be the one documenting that.’

Jackson, 38, got into the royal game chiefly because he loved to travel, but he’s stayed for the level of access his job offers. ‘When I was at university, I wanted to be a news or a war photographer,’ he says. ‘But I think there are so many other amazing aspects of life around the world that I get to see now. Often I’ll take pictures of things in more depth when I’m off duty.’

Alongside his work for Getty, he’s sometimes asked to undertake private commissions on behalf of Kensington Palace – Prince George’s fifth birthday portrait, for instance, and the Cambridges’ 2017 Christmas card. It must help that he’s married to the Duchess of Cambridge’s stylist, Natasha Archer. The couple met through work and are expecting their first child. ‘She understands the world I work in,’ he explains.

Discretion, of course, is the name of his game. As is tirelessness. The Prince of Wales, for instance, regularly attends eight engagements in a single day. ‘I’ll be bouncing around to keep up with him, desperately trying to eat, because he doesn’t have time for lunch,’ Jackson says.

Even after 15 years, he still gets excited about photographing the Queen. ‘Because she is unique,’ he explains. ‘She’s this amazing anchor for the Royal family that has always been here, throughout my life and throughout most other people’s lives, too.’

Does he ever feel for them, having to be photographed in everything they do? ‘I think being photographed is part and parcel of the job – it’s always been in their lives; nothing has changed. They’re always very understanding: they know it’s important, because I’m recording history – these images will be looked at in decades, and hopefully, centuries to come.’

Modern Monarchy: The British Royal Family Today, by Chris Jackson is published by Rizzoli £35 on 9 October