Catching a real-life glimpse of the royals is a rare anomaly for many, but for renowned photographer Tim Rooke, it’s all in a days work.
Indeed, the gifted snapper has been front and centre of some of the royal family’s biggest milestone events over the years – and with that kind of experience, you’d be hard pressed not to have some incredibly rare inside knowledge on the UK’s most famous family.
Tim has been in the royal photography game since the 1990s. (Image: Shutterstock)
After becoming the official royal photographer for Rex by Shutterstock in 1990, Rooke has travelled to over 110 countries and captured some of their most historical moments in the process.
From Princess Diana’s final weeks, to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement shoot – it would be safe to say he’s seen it all.
Now, as a very exciting instalment looms for the house of Windsor (read: Baby Sussex), Tim has shared his thoughts on Meghan and Harry’s choice to depart from the traditional hospital photo call, and its significance in marking a new chapter for the royals.
Proving his knowledge of Meghan and Harry is next to nothing, he’s also noted some key differences in photographing the Sussexes in comparison to their royal counterparts Prince William and Duchess Catherine – and what he has revealed might surprise you.
Keep scrolling as we speak exclusively to Tim on his wealth of royal knowledge – from royal babies right back to the days of Diana.
WATCH: Prince Harry talks about what he thinks his mum, Princess Diana would say about Meghan Markle. Story continues after video…
On photographing Meghan and Harry
Tim tells Australian Women’s Weekly that there is no doubt in his mind of the love and affection the Sussexes have with each other.
“They are very naturally affectionate with each other and it’s lovely to see,” he explains.
“I’ve been lucky enough to photograph them many times now and each time the best photographs I get of them is when they don’t even realise they’re being photographed together.”
In fact, Tim says that the pair’s natural connection is so evident that they show up William and Kate!
“We don’t often see Prince William and the Duchess holding hands, but the Sussexes do it if cameras are there or not.”
Tim says Harry and Meghan’s connection is undeniable. (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
The passionate photographer followed Harry and Meghan on their whirlwind tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in 2018, where they seamlessly interacted with various people from all walks of life.
“It was great to see them interact with each other so lovingly. They’re such an authentic couple and every time I photograph them you can sense the love and affection they have for each other,” he explained.
Tim said the royals took their 16-day tour in their stride. (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
On the royal baby’s official photo debut
With Baby Sussex due to arrive any day now, royal fans were initially caught by surprise after learning that the Sussexes were choosing to depart from the official hospital photo call tradition, as had been the case for Diana and Kate in previous years.
But Tim explained that their choice shouldn’t be entirely unexpected.
“While it is out of the ordinary for a royal couple to not have an official photo call, it’s important to note that the Sussexes are held to different traditions than the Cambridges,” he said.
“Prince Harry is now sixth in line to the throne and as such has more flexibility when it comes to ‘breaking’ traditions like the Royal Baby photo call.”
Tim said Harry and Meghan’s choice to opt for a different way to debut their child is entirely understandable. (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
And Rooke is convinced that the royal birth might mark the start of a new age for the royal family, where an increased use of social media will allow greater communication between royals and their fans.
“It’s now likely that the baby will be announced on Instagram! It’ll be a change for older and less social media savvy royal fans but I’m sure Harry and Meghan will see thousands of comments from supporters congratulating the couple,” he said.
The possibility of introducing Baby Sussex on Instagram will mark a new age in connecting with royal fans, according to Tim. (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
On what it’s like to photograph William and Kate
While William and Kate mightn’t be as affectionate as Harry and Meghan in public, that’s not to say the pair haven’t also shared some sweet moments together at their various joint engagements over the years.
Tim recalls one of his favourite moments between the now-parents was when they visited Bhutan in 2016. Kate, wearing a traditional dress, attempted to perform archery with William – to various degrees of success!
“It was a very natural moment filled with laughter. One of the best parts of my job is that I get access to the Royals when they go overseas and generally when that’s when they seem the most relaxed,” Tim explains.
READ MORE: William and Kate share PDA in Bhutan
Tim has seen Wills and Kate welcome their three new children to the world. (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
On photographing Princess Diana
Pictures of Princess Diana are held dear to this day by royal fans the world over – and you’ll find that behind many of them, particularly those taken in the 1990s, were captured by Tim.
In fact, one of Tim’s photographs became renowned following her tragic death because of one of the subjects he captured with the late Princess – her butler Paul Burrell.
“I’ll say in advance the photo is not one my best. I took it at Sarajevo Airport in Bosnia, just a few weeks before she passed and I was initially annoyed that her butler was in the picture as it was always best to have shots of her on her own,” he explains.
“However, after Paul Burrell went to trial this picture was one of the only pictures of the two of them together and it became one of my most published pictures in 2002.”
The now iconic image is also one of Paul’s favourtie photos with the Princess, according to Tim.
Rooke captured a now-iconic photo of Princess Diana and Paul Burrell back in August 1997. (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
On photographing other royals
Aside from Harry, Meghan, William, Kate and Diana, Tim has also had the honour in capturing some amazing moments with other members of the House of Windsor – Queen Elizabeth for one.
Capturing the below picture of HRH Elizabeth as she sneaks a quick peek out of the Buckingham Palace windows, this candid photo by Tim might be our favourite picture of the 93-year-old yet!
Tim captured this curious picture in the nick of time! (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
Meanwhile, other standout subjects for Tim include Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who is “great and has lots of time for us as photographers,” he explains.
“She’ll always look around to see where the photographers are and stop for a picture. She knows we’re just trying to do our jobs!”
Another joyful subject is the Countess of Wessex, who also makes an effort to look around for the photographers.
“She was in PR before she married Prince Edward so obviously she understands the value of a photograph,” Rooke adds.
But out of all the royals, there’s one moment that truly stands out above the rest for Tim.
“One of my favourite moments, as a Royal photographer was with Prince Andrew when he was made an Honorary Chief in the South Pacific — wearing a grass skirt doing a hula dance,” he says.
“We don’t always get pictures that are different and lighthearted so I love it when these opportunities come about.”
To see more of Tim’s amazing photography, you can follow him on Twitter.
One of Tim’s favourite moments was when Prince Andrew did an impromptu hula dance! (Image: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)
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