A new official photo of British Royal Family has been released

Buckingham Palace has shared a new official photo of King Charles III and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales

Buckingham Palace has shared a new official photo of King Charles and Queen Consort, Prince and Princess of Wales, ahead of the State reception held for heads of state and official overseas guests at Buckingham Palace on September 18. The photo was taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson. The Buckingham Palace reception where the new photograph was taken took place on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Buckingham Palace has shared a new official photo of King Charles III and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales

Buckingham Palace has shared a new official photo of King Charles III and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales

49 Comments

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  1. Stanno molto bene. Però trovo imbarazzante questi sorrisi alla vigilia di un funerale.

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    1. D'accordissimo, non capisco la necessità di questa foto.
      Un ricordo dei 10 giorni di lutto da lasciare ai posteri?
      Mah!

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    2. Anonymous2/10/22 17:45

      Rossella, there is nothing wrong with this photo. The only one with a full smile is Camilla; the others are probably making an effort at the photographer's request. They were all smiling/laughing while out meeting the public in the days before this photo was taken. Everyday normal people smile/laugh before & during funerals. Life goes on. *Regina

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    3. agree, very inapropriate. Creepy even.

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    4. Anonymous2/10/22 19:11

      I agree with Rossella, Simo and Iris and Tulipe 33

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    5. Was such a photo really necessary?
      Can't find anything to say about fashion.

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  2. Quel a été mon étonnement dès la première photo où je les ai vus tout sourire !

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  3. Anonymous2/10/22 17:10

    Actually they are looking quite sad on this pic taken 10 days after Queen Elisabeth died.

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    1. Anonymous2/10/22 19:14

      I never saw someone smiling like that when he/she is sad.

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    2. Anonymous3/10/22 15:45

      My father died suddenly this summer and I find their expressions well within the realm of normal following the death of a loved family member.

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  4. From your perspective it looks embarassing but a reality check shows that apart from the day of the queen's passing and coffin processions, the vigils and funeral where they all had visible grief, all the royals were smiling at chatting as they were interacting with the public as on this evening. Their smiles were not an indication of the lack of grief or respect.

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  5. Anonymous2/10/22 19:06

    This pic is taken the night before the funeral.

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  6. Anonymous2/10/22 19:13

    Why should death be treated with such sadness? Queen Elizabeth was a Christian, loving and giving person. She is now with our Lord, receiving her crown of glory.

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    1. i agree. she lived a full life of purpose. its also a celebration of a life well lived

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  7. Anonymous2/10/22 20:11

    When you host a funeral, you are the *host*, and are in a position of making sure your guests have what they need, thanking them for coming, and even comforting them though they may have come to comfort you. That is very different than posing for your first official photo of the new family structure--in mourning clothes, the eve of the funeral. I find it off-putting. I think this could have waited until after the funeral and the ten days of mourning. They look like they were caught on the way down to greet their guests, when it should have been in a nicer setting than against a wall. As was mentioned, Camilla is the only one that looks truly happy or genuinely smiling, however you would want to put it. I think this is a misstep. The entire world already knew Charles was the new king and William was the new Prince of Wales. No need to rush an official picture.

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    1. Anonymous3/10/22 14:45

      I agree with you. Judy

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  8. It's really amazing, looking at his face, I have the impression Charles looks very similar to his mother; looking at his profile on the new coins, I have the impression he looks very much like his grandfather. Can anyone else see the similarities, too? Or is it just me?

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    1. he looks like his uncle King Edward the Abdicator. even his mannerism

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  9. Anonymous2/10/22 20:52

    A great picture, but everyone in black is a bit much. The next day the Queen was buried, I believe Q EII would have fully approved of the smiles. Using her words Duty first self-second. The family is entitled to grieve in Private and show a more uplifting face to the public. This may even be needed; the whole Country and the world was grieving. css

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  10. Si cette photo a été prise avant les funérailles de la reine Élisabeth, je la trouve tout simplement indécente.
    Toutefois ,chacun est libre de se comporter comme bon lui semble.

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  11. Anonymous2/10/22 21:17

    And Meghan was accused of smirking.

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    1. Anonymous4/10/22 19:41

      Which she wasn't. But neither was she posing for an official photo so a bit like comparing cheese and teapots.

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    2. @Anon 4/10/22 19:41
      Love the expression "comparing cheese and teapots".

      Delete
  12. This is a beautiful and heartwarming photo!

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  13. I believe this photo is not indicative of how the royal family here in this photo felt from their hearts. Regardless a lovely photo of the four of them.

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  14. Anonymous2/10/22 22:04

    Reading all these comments I can only go by personal experience it is hard to smile at a time like this. However it was courageous for them to do so regardless of how hard it may have been. This picture shows a new era for the BRF. Mary

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  15. Anonymous2/10/22 22:07

    Oh great, the smile police are out again. It is possible smile and grieve. Or even look serious and not be depressed.

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    1. Anonymous2/10/22 23:03

      Some people on here even commented years after Prince Friso died that "it was good to see Mabel smiling again". Yes... after six years. Days before the queen's funeral, Charles & the others were out & about greeting people & smiling. People need to get a grip. *Regina

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    2. Anonymous3/10/22 21:59

      Great comment. People will always be critical, no matter the situation. However, this is a lovely photograph.
      Chel

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  16. Anonymous2/10/22 23:30

    The way Queen Elizabeth lived I am sure she would be proud of them. Life looks forward not backword. She'd rather see them smiling than crying. This is actually a symbolic photo that reassures us that the royal family is "business as usual", just as it should be.
    Ana

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    1. I totally agree with Ana. The Queen would be proud.
      Years ago one cousin of my husband died. Suddenly. At the age of 36! We all were completely shocked. I'll never forget how my hubby cried at the funeral. But on the other hand this Cousin, Alex, had been a very nice and funny guy with a big heart and a great sense of humour. And so at the lunch directly after the funeral - many relatives and collegues and friend were there - everybody talked about what they had experienced with Alex and much of that was funny, so in the middle of the crying people every now and then laughter erupted. Since I believe that only the human body dies, but not the spirit, it was as if Alex himself was present. I am sure he would have liked it! And to his grieving father it was comfort. Still nowadays, when we think of him, we sometimes cry - and sometimes smile and even laugh.

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    2. Anonymous4/10/22 01:08

      @Coralie I understand what you are saying, and it is very true that laughter helps so much with grief. Remembering the funny stories keeps our loved one or friend alive in spirit. The difference I find with this official picture is that it wasn't meant to be a funny moment. It was meant to capture a commemorative moment - the first official picture of them together. The event they were about to attend was not festive in nature either. Of course it was a time to have conversation, escape the reality of the previous day's events and the next day's funeral. I have been in that position before. It is incredibly difficult to set your own feelings aside for the comfort and feelings of others, but you do it, and fall apart after the funeral. I just can't understand the rush to take that picture. What was the rush? It didn't change anything for the people. A less rushed, properly posed photo, in colorful clothes would have made for a much nicer "first photo." I am sorry for your loss. Thirty-six is so young.

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  17. Virginia Dogwood3/10/22 06:18

    Unless my eyes deceive me, I believe the King and Queen Consort are exhbiting some PDA. I do not have a problem with that, but if this were Prince Harry and Meghan, they would have been crucified for the same type of display. I like the Queen's dress, especially the soft neckline.

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    1. PDA? Pathological Demand Avoidance ??
      Could somebody explain, in simple words, how PDA is related to these photos?
      It will help me a lot as when my ‘nose-stuck-up -in-the-air’, snobbish neighbour starts talking to me about PDA, I’ll at least have an idea of what she’s talking about. Thanks in advance.
      p.s. I agree to what you say about the Sussexes.

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    2. PDA = public display of affection

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    3. To Vanessa, thanks for the info. PDA = Public Display of Affection and not Pathological Demand Avoidance.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous3/10/22 07:38

    The royals live and work under a Damokles sword - wenn i see the comments here.

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  19. Anonymous3/10/22 09:07

    This photo would be nice but not on the eve of a funeral.
    Ava

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    1. Kate looks fabulous! Camilla looks evil!

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    2. Anonymous3/10/22 13:36

      Oh don't be so ridiculous @Michelle.

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  20. I will never forget Prince William smiling and offering comfort to the crowds which had gathered after the death of the Princess of Wales, his heart must have breaking yet he was so composed at such a tender age.
    The Royal Family are trained to be composed, one only needs to look at Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Queen's funeral.

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  21. Anonymous3/10/22 11:56

    Nessuna spada di Damocle, sono tutti adorabili soprattutto Catherine e William che seguo da sempre.
    Ma usare questa foto da lutto come simbolo della "nuova" famiglia reale è inopportuno e si, qualcuno ha scritto raccapricciante ed io lo condivido!
    Rossella

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  22. I can't believe the judgy comments. It's a beautiful picture of the 4 royals. Nobody is smirking, they are smiling. It is normal to smile while having a picture taken. It is the UK, not a country given to exaggerated public displays of grief.

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    1. Anonymous4/10/22 00:45

      I think an argument could be made that Queen Victoria was also the Queen of Grief.

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  23. Anonymous3/10/22 20:59

    Why has he the King got his hand in his pocket for an official photo?

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  24. Why has the King got his hand in his pocket for an official photograph?

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  25. I don't understand the judgemental comments. These people ar not only private, they have a role to fulfill. I see a great photo, professionaly made with an intent, to show the world at the eve of Queen Elizabeth's funeral: this is the future of the monarchy. Here we are, ready to take over the responsibility to represent the nation. We grieve the death of a beloved mother and grandmother, but life goes on: The Queen is dead, long live the King.

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  26. Anonymous4/10/22 23:59

    It is very interesting to read these comments. In my humble opinion the divide between those who find this photo inappropriate, rushed, unnecessary and those who think that smiling at the eve of a funeral is part of the natural human reaction, celebration of a life well lived, life should go on business as usual, I think it all boils down to cultural differences between the two respective groups. Without pretending to know all the commenters and their personal background - and I ask your forgiveness for any gross or unfair generalisation I may be making here - I notice a certain pattern: people of continental/latin/southern culture (most visibly our regular Italian and French commenters, but quite likely other Europeans too) tend to be in the first group, whereas Anglo-Saxons/Americans tend to be in the second group. Personally I must say I feel closer to the first group and share the feeling that this photo could have been taken at another moment, when the smiles would have been more natural and not forced ("what was the rush?" indeed). Having said that, I remember participating in a funeral in the UK some years ago where, at the church service, family members of the deceased delivered speeches and tributes filled with funny anecdotes from the life of the person being buried and at the lunch after the funeral there was drinking and laughing, telling jokes, you would think that it was a wedding party not a funeral - I was utterly shocked! Where I come from this would NEVER happen, we are brought up to believe that a funeral is the ultimate solemn and somber occasion where you pay the last respects to another person and anything other than sadness and grieving is utterly disrespectful. I couldn't help but express my thoughts and confusion to one of the family members of the deceased (an American) and he told me that they viewed the funeral as an occasion to celebrate life. It was the first time ever I heard this expression and it put me in deep thoughts, it opened up a new way of looking at things I had never thought of before, it made me realise that nothing in life is one size fits all, everyone has its own way of dealing with their emotions and the reality they live in. There is no right way and wrong way, there are only different conventions rooted deep in history, culture, religion, human experiences and perceptions. It didn't change my personal views on funerals but I learnt not to judge others based on my own background only,

    E.d'A.

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