Travel trade photographer recalls ‘privilege’ of taking Queen’s picture
She brought ‘joy’ to people with her ‘amazing smile’, says Steve Dunlop
MikeTyes
Travel trade photographer Steve Dunlop has recalled photographing Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions – and how her “amazing smile” brought joy to those around her.
He first photographed her while working in the early 1990s on behalf of London hotels such as Claridges and St James’s Court Hotel.
And he has also taken her photograph for cruise lines such as P&O Cruises and Cunard at ship naming ceremonies.
He tweeted: “I’ve had the privilege of photographing our late Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions. It was the joy she brought to those waiting to be introduced that I remember most. That smile. Every time.”
I’ve had the privilege of photographing our late Queen, Elizabeth II on several occasions. It was the joy she brought to those waiting to be introduced that I remember most. That smile. Every time. Here naming @pandocruises#Britannia & @cunardline#QueenElizabeth#Cruisepic.twitter.com/RFy00e6ldp
— Steve Dunlop Photographer (@DunlopPhoto) September 12, 2022
He said the Queen would show “genuine interest” in the people she met, ranging from the “bigwigs” to staff in a café.
“There was always anticipation while they waited for her, they were excited,” he said.
“She never disappointed. She always had an amazing smile and a genuine interest in people.”
With the naming of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth ship, he recalled: “I was nervous because it was arranged only hours before the ceremony for me and a Press Association photographer to be on stage just behind, to the side of her, to get the ship in the shot. Nervous!”
He also said there would be pressure to ensure the client appeared in photographs with the Queen – but often they would have their back to the camera, and he would be unable to ask her to move for a better shot.
As well as the late Queen, Dunlop has also photographed King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales, as well as many other members of the Royal Family, including the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Mother, Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Kate – now Princess of Wales – and princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.
Photograph by Steve Dunlop shows the Queen at the naming ceremony for P&O Cruises’ Britannia, in March 2015
