When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchanged vows in 2018 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, it was a highly anticipated event for royal enthusiasts around the world. However, for veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards, the experience was far from a joyous occasion.
Edwards, who has been documenting the British royal family since 1977, spoke candidly about the challenges he faced while covering the couple's nuptials. In a recent interview with The Sun, the 83-year-old photographer revealed that the day was "the worst Royal Engagement I ever did."
According to Edwards, Prince Harry was determined to keep the media at a distance as much as possible. "Everything was done on long lenses," he recalled. "I had an 800-millimeter lens photographing the guests arriving, and the photographers they engaged for the job were just 5 feet away. It was just hopeless."
The photographer's frustration was particularly evident when he missed the opportunity to capture the newlyweds in their carriage as they greeted the crowds outside the chapel. "The carriage shot, where they went past me in the carriage, they looked the other way," he said, describing the moment as "a disaster."
When asked if he felt unwelcome at the event, Edwards responded, "It wasn't just me; it was the whole of the British press. In many ways, we were badly treated."
This sentiment echoes the concerns raised by Prince Harry and Meghan in their 2022 Netflix documentary, where they accused the British press of "unconscious bias" and claimed that the royal family's relationship with the media was strained by "leaking" and "planting of stories."
The Duke of Sussex has been vocal about his distrust of the media, particularly following the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. In a BBC documentary, Harry recalled the harrowing experience of seeing the paparazzi photographing Diana as she lay dying in the car.
Despite the challenges, Edwards expressed his fondness for Prince Harry, describing him as "someone really special." However, the photographer acknowledged the rift between the Duke and the royal family, stating, "It's a sad occasion. You could say, 'Good Riddance,' because he's been nothing but a thorn in their side. But he is the Prodigal Son, and the Prodigal Son did return, so I'll keep my fingers crossed."
As the royal family continues to navigate its relationship with the media, the tension witnessed at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with the public scrutiny of the British monarchy.
