What a dream job this was for me. As a Londoner I grew up wondering what went on behind those large golden gates of Buckingham Palace. Just like anyone with a curious mind – and that is most photographers – the chance to peep behind the scenes and take images of staff there as they go about their work preparing for an evening reception, was a dream commission.
Here’s a shot of the staff receiving the day’s briefing…
Before they set out on their various tasks:
Polishing…
Filling the ice-buckets…
Putting finishing touches to the buffet tables…
Preparing the canapés on the silver trays…
And once I captured staff front of house, we went back of house, which, as you can see, was not quite as glamorous…
Even when it involves polishing the silver…
During the time we spent at Buckingham Palace, being showed around by Deputy Master of the Royal Household Edward Griffiths, EP reporter Jennifer was talking to Mr Griffiths and various staff, to piece together her feature. In the meantime, to my surprise, I was given free reign to shoot what I liked, so long as I didn’t go behind certain doors.
“Why, what’s behind there, I asked?”, as a staff member appeared through a hidden door. The Queen’s private quarters of course….
Here’s the final cover:
