Why Duchess Kate takes the official photos of George, Charlotte and Louis
You’ve probably noticed that many of the official shots of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are taken by none other than their mum, Duchess Kate.
Privacy, please
It seems this strategy came into play when the paparazzi around wee Prince George reached fever pitch back in 2015. The royal family were very distressed the little prince was being hounded, and Kensington Palace issued a warning to media about their pursuit of George.
“One recent incident … was disturbing, but not at all uncommon,” the palaces revealed at the time.
“A photographer rented a car and parked in a discreet location outside a children’s play area. Police discovered him lying down in the boot of the vehicle attempting shoot photos with a long lens through a small gap in his hide.”
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Ongoing battle
After Charlotte’s birth, the family again asked for privacy, posting a notice in the village Kate and William were living close to asking for their right to a “private family life” to be respected.
“There have in the past been a number of intrusions into the privacy of the Royal Family which in the main have been as a result of professional photographers using long distance lenses, not only to observe the Royal Family, but also to photograph them going about their activities on the Estate,” the notice stated.
“The warm-hearted and understandable interest in the Royal Family and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge needs to be balanced with their right to private family life – this is especially important for a family with very young children.”
A DIY approach
Media outlets were encouraged not to publish unethical shots of the family – especially the littlest royals – and the palace launched a more DIY approach to sharing moments from their lives.
Kate – who from all accounts is a bit of a photography nut – began snapping the royal kids on their special days. First days, new babies and birthdays were celebrated with some more sweet, casual photos taken by the children’s own mum.
“Nothing is a given, but in terms of managing to keep a good relationship with the British media, it’s in William’s and Kate’s interest to release photos,” royal expert Victoria Arbiter told the UK Express.
Not only are these photos more relatable, intimate and candid, they have the extra bonus of not involving stuffy photo shoots and strange photographers. This less obtrusive, family-style approach makes for less stress and much more relaxed portraits.
It’s a stark contrast to Prince William’s own childhood, where he was very often faced with a huge wall of photographers as he navigated the milestones of his early years. Of course, he lost his lovely mum as a direct result of the paparazzi.
This homemade approach to sharing the little royals seems a very wise strategy.