Queen's photographer reveals 'nightmare' experience at Windsor—'I was huffing and puffing'
The Queen's personal photographer made the awkward blunder on assignment at Windsor earlier this year


The Queen's photographer has shared his 'nightmare' experience while working at Windsor Home Park, which had him chasing after Her Majesty in a frenzied panic.
- The Queen's photographer has detailed his 'nightmare' ordeal while shooting the monarch and her eldest son, Prince William, at Windsor Castle earlier this year.
- Chris Jackson has worked as Royal Family's official photographer for over 20 years, but that doesn't mean he always gets it right.
- In other royal news, Prince William ditches royal tradition as 'leveller' gesture.
The Queen's personal photographer has admitted he was left 'huffing and puffing' at a royal event on the grounds of Windsor Castle, after making a harmless mistake shooting Her Majesty.
Chris Jackson has worked as the Royal Family's official photographer now for over 20 years, accompanying them on overseas tours and attending their countless domestic engagements. With two decades of experience of capturing Britain's most famous clan, the 41-year-old has accumulated a library's worth of stories about the 'behind-the-scenes' Queen—along with countless moments that don't make it on camera.
In a new interview for the Royal Family Youtube Channel, Chris shared one of the rather "funny" anecdotes from his new book, 'Elizabeth II: A Queen for Our Time'.
The British lensman candidly described the ordeal of him blundering an assignment at an event at Windsor Castle, in which he had been tasked to lead the Queen and Prince Charles' convoy across the 13-acre estate in his own car. Despite having done the route once before, Chris wasn't able to remember the correct directions and found himself struggling at the wheel.
"I wasn't 100% sure of which entrance I was meant to be going in and things like that," he recalled. "So, I jumped in my car and drove around the Queen's car and I couldn't remember if it was right or left. I was pretty sure, basically, almost 100% sure that it was left, but when you're so nervous, things make you doubt what you actually know in your mind to be correct."
Trusting his instincts, Chris made a left turn—only to realize that Her Majesty had cheekily overtaken him.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
"As I was pulling into the front of Frogmore House, where we were taking the photograph, the Queen whizzed past me around the back," he said. "I had to jump out of my car and grab all my equipment and sprint around the back of the house."
A post shared by Chris Jackson (@chrisjacksongetty)
A photo posted by on
With tardiness an absolute no-no when working with the Queen, Chris knew he had to move quickly to avoid being late.
"It was a good couple hundred of meters and obviously Covid times, I had a face mask on, I was like huffing and puffing. Got there for a photograph, but it was a bit of a nightmare."
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
Caught ending explained: Who was the killer and is Leo dead?
Another Harlan Coben thriller is riding high on Netflix, and viewers are asking for a deep dive of the intense ending of Caught
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Chocolate brown is everywhere but Ranvir Singh's Reiss sale dress stands out from the crowd
Ranvir Singh has made us fall in love with deep cocoa brown all over again and her Reiss midi dress is more than 50% off
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince George’s hilarious warning for TV star passed on by Prince William ahead of series cameo
The Prince of Wales has passed on a cheeky message from Prince George to the star of one of his new favourite shows
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton addresses family move and why she and Prince William swapped London for Windsor
The Princess of Wales has explained why she and Prince William moved to Berkshire in 2022 and it makes complete sense
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's opinion of Prince William's beard couldn't be more different to Charlotte's
The Prince of Wales's new beard has attracted plenty of attention and his wife and daughter's opinions weren't initially aligned
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton confirm special visit to cherished place after half-term break
The Prince and Princess of Wales's next joint visit will take them back to a place that is 'immensely special' to them and their family
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate and William 'enjoying half-term break' in private paradise for special trip with Carole Middleton
The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly jetted off to enjoy some sunshine with family close by after missing 2025 BAFTAs
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William mark Valentine's Day with candid romantic picture - and the caption says it all
The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a new picture to celebrate Valentine's Day and it's pure romance
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's foodie compromise for Prince William that we bet she'd make for King Charles
The Princess of Wales has developed a way to keep everyone happy when she makes a signature dish and it involves tweaking the method
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Lady Louise Windsor could step up to be vital support to Prince William in 'years to come'
Lady Louise could potentially be 'willing' to help out her cousin Prince William one day even if she doesn't become a working royal
By Emma Shacklock Published