Photographing the King is a dream come true but I never thought I’d get the chance to do it for a very specific reason
FOR nearly 50 years I have chronicled the Royal Family for the Sun, witnessing their triumphs and disasters.
On hand to capture history, I have photographed seven royal weddings, five funerals and seven regal babies.
But there was one picture I thought I would never take.
Today, God willing, I will finally photograph King Charles wearing his crown.
Every year, The Sun’s picture editor reviews my performance and asks what my plans are for the year.
For the last ten years I have answered, “Should the time come, I’d love to photograph the Coronation of King Charles III”, never thinking I would be able to do it.
I thought our Queen would live forever.
Now, at the age of 82, I’m a bit nervous because it is a big occasion and I want to produce a great picture, for the paper and for myself.
For six hours I will be standing on the gravel in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace waiting for what I hope will be the front page picture of the King on the balcony wearing his crown.
I have travelled with Charles all over the world and I have come to understand and respect him.
We have spent so long together we are like old companions. He calls me Arthur, I call him Your Majesty.
I was the first member of the world’s press to speak to him when, on the death of his beloved mother, he became King.
While I am waiting for him to come on to the balcony today, I will remember all the wonderful places we have been to, meeting presidents and popes, celebrities and ordinary folk.
From all of those amazing events, I have come back with great pictures.
But when the King steps out on to that famous balcony this afternoon, I hope to take my best picture ever.
Throughout this historic day, the King will have his beloved Camilla by his side.
After 18 years of marriage he still calls her “My darling wife”. I think that is lovely.
As Queen, she has totally supported the King. She has made him happier and calmer. They are incredibly happy together. Most importantly, she makes them laugh.
Camilla has had an enormous uphill struggle but she has done it brilliantly, always smiling through whatever life threw at them.
I am sure we will see many more of her wonderful smiles when the Royal Family appears on the balcony.
The King is my hero. Seeing him finally wearing the crown he so richly deserves will make me so happy for him — and our nation.