Meghan Markle was ‘noticeably’ more tactile than other royals when she joined the family, photographer claims
A royal photographer has claimed Meghan Markle was ‘noticeably’ more tactile than the other royals when she joined the family.
Award-winning photographer Samir Hussein captured the famous picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex linking arms under an umbrella at the Endeavour Awards in 2020 and described the picture as ‘unusual’.
Harry and Meghan are known to have broken from the usual formality seen in royal relationships by openly displaying affection and holding hands when out in public.
Mr Hussein told The Telegraph: ‘It was very noticeable when Meghan came on the scene just how tactile she was, like holding the Duke’s hand and being arm-in-arm, so that was quite unusual.’
The image of the pair looking adoringly at one another in the rain went viral and was taken at one of the couple’s final engagements before they stepped down as senior royals.
It will now go on display in London in a new exhibition charting the Hussein family’s photography of the monarchy over the years.
Award-winning photographer Samir Hussein captured the famous picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex linking arms under an umbrella and described it as ‘unusual’
Samir (pictured outside Buckingham Palace) will share his remarkable photographs of the royal family alongside pictures taken by his father Anwar and brother Zak
The exhibition, titled Princess Diana: Accredited Access, will open at St Katharine Docks, London, on May 25.
It follows successful runs in the US, Australia and Canada and will feature images taken by the longest-serving royal photographer – and Mr Hussein’s father – Anwar Hussein.
It will also feature a collection of photos from his and his brother Zak’s collection.
The trio have curated a collection of official pictures spanning seven decades, which includes five generations of the monarchy.
Samir and Zak, now both in their 40s, spent a lot of their childhood surrounded by royalty because of their father, including going to the polo to see Prince Charles play while Princess Dianna watched.
They described playing around with a young Harry and William in a ‘very relaxed’ atmosphere, with their similar ages meaning they could ‘relate’ to the princes in a different way to other members of the family.
The brothers aim to continue their father’s ‘candid’ style of photographing the royal family, catching them in moments which show their ‘more human side that makes them more relatable’.
The exhibition, which will run to September 2, displays the family’s photographs in life-size formats.
Samir and Zak also provide a unique audio tour to guide the experience.
Their father Anwar said: ‘I am delighted that the images captured, as well as those of my sons, are coming home to London to recognise and memorialise such a remarkable woman and her sons.
‘There are so many memories of our two families connecting and creating a special relationship, which I am pleased to be able to display in such a unique way through the exhibition.’
