Royal Photographer Shares Glimpse at How He Achieved Memorable Coronation Snap of King Charles and Queen Camilla

Chris Jackson got in front of the camera for a change as he attended a Buckingham Palace reception for those who helped make the coronation happen

NICKY J SIMS/POOL/AFP via Getty

Chris Jackson and King Charles at a Buckingham Palace reception on Oct. 19, 2023

Royal photographer Chris Jackson is stepping out from behind the camera!

Jackson was one of the guests invited to a Buckingham Palace reception on Thursday hosted by King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne for those involved in the planning of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022 and the coronation in May 2023. The royal trio welcomed everyone from musical composers, government officials, volunteers and more to thank them for their contributions to the historic events.

Reflecting on the event, Jackson shared on his Instagram page: “Other side of the camera for a moment this afternoon. It was lovely to be invited to Buckingham Palace today for a special Coronation Reception. Slightly surreal to think back to that momentous day and also the period after HM Queen Elizabeth’s passing. Lovely to see so many friendly faces, SO many people involved in every aspect of the planning and implementation of the totally unforgettable event – Scroll right for a reminder of where I was on the day!”

In addition to appearing in photos with King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 76, Jackson shared a look at how he captured one of the most memorable images from the coronation day. As the King and Queen stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the crowning ceremony, Jackson held his camera in the air to take a photo from behind as the royal couple waved to the gathered crowds.

The picture was shared by the royal family’s official social media accounts the following day.

Related: King Charles Reveals the Surprising Item He Wishes He Brought to His Coronation Celebrations

Shortly after the image was taken, Jackson wrote on his Instagram, “An honour to shoot ‘behind the scenes’ and a never seen before angle from today’s historic Coronation, what a day!!!!!!”

He also shared another photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla as they viewed a flypast of aircraft from the Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and Royal Air Force leaving a trail of red, white and blue exhaust.

“What a view! What a day!” Jackson captioned the post, hashtagging #coronation.

Handout/Chris Jackson/Getty for Buckingham Palace Queen Camilla and King Charles after the coronation in May 2023

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Jackson, whose book Charles III: A King and His Queen was released earlier this year, has been behind the scenes with the royal family for intimate portraits and royal tours for years. He even joined King Charles and Queen Camilla on the first foreign tour of the new reign in Germany.

“It was a really busy few days, and if we had had Paris as well [that part of the tour was postponed due to unrest in France], it would have been a very tiring week away – for them, I’m sure,” Jackson told PEOPLE. “They packed a lot into a few days and had a great response.”

Chris Jackson/Getty Images Chris Jackson’s photo of the crowds outside Hamburg City Hall to see King Charles in March 2023

He added, “I won’t forget the crowds in Hamburg. I was up on the balcony, and I looked out across crowds of thousands of people, who were really positive and keen to meet the people. The couple went on to do a big walkabout. They met only enthusiastic people. There was a really good response.”

“I don’t remember seeing a crowd that big on a tour before,” Jackson said of Hamburg. “I was amazed. It was one of the biggest crowds I had ever seen on a royal tour.”

He continued, “People were excited to meet the new King. It is your one opportunity to see these people that you have seen in the news and in magazines. And coming so soon after Queen Elizabeth’s passing, that was such a high profile moment and a moment of history. I suppose they want to be part of a new history.”

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