Hugo Burnand on photographing the Coronation - joking with a King, pomp and planning
ok.co.ukSetting off for Buckingham Palace on his bicycle on Coronation day, royal photographer Hugo Burnand was just hours away from taking the official portraits of the newly crowned King Charles and Queen Camilla.
But as he cycled through Hyde Park in the sunshine, if he was feeling any nerves ahead of the momentous occasion, he certainly didn’t show it. “Yes, it’s big, but I didn’t get blown away by the enormity of it – I was just photographing people I’ve known for a long time,” he smiles afterwards, settling down with us at the luxurious COMO The Halkin hotel near the Palace. “I’m able to crack and share a joke with them and that enables me to get on with the job of photography without thinking, ‘Ooh it’s the King!’ “I can get emotional – I really hope I don’t today,” he says, having dashed to meet us from dismantling his equipment in the Throne Room.
He’s funny and friendly, and asks for a glass of water, quipping, “If I have a gin and tonic I’ll tell you everything.” We can see why the royal family feel so at ease with him.
With a unique 20-year relationship reflected in the portraits he took on the day, Hugo, 59, has also photographed the weddings of King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as Prince William and Princess Catherine. “They’re not fools and they know that I’ve been round the block with them a few times.
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