Queen Elizabeth II - The Photographer

We at IMPACT 20twenty join millions of people around the world in mourning the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was our longest reigning monarch and will be remembered for a remarkable lifetime of service. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and our thoughts are with them at this time. Here is a collection of some of our favourite shots of our late Queen Elizabeth II, also a keen photographer. These photographs aren't our own and credit is given where known. Rest In Peace Your Majesty.

Ever since her father, King George VI, gave the then Princess Elizabeth a Box Brownie camera before the war, Queen Elizabeth II has loved taking photos. From chronicling family memories to her many trips abroad, Her Majesty, it's clear, had a passion for capturing the moment. If you're into photography and ever want a piece of nostalgia for your shelves to remember our late Queen by, you can pick these up on any marketplace website, ebay or carboot sales for a couple of pounds. We have a number of Box Brownies in our own collections. Unfortunately, the next few cameras in the post will set you back far more pennies.

An icon for an icon - Leica M3.

When it comes to the late queen’s favourite camera, we can't possibly know for sure, however, she was most often spotted carrying an absolute icon of a camera, a silver Leica M3 with an accessory lightmeter mounted on top. A true classic, a workhorse, quality and class, what could be better camera for a Queen? While hipster celebrities carry a Leica around to look cool, Queen Elizabeth II was rocking one—and actually using it—decades prior. THAT'S a true icon.

Over time though, it looks like Her Majesty retired the Leica M3 for a more modern version, a Leica M6, which offers a built-in lightmeter, among other upgrades. Maybe she wanted to simplify her kit?

The two cameras share the same basic design if you look at them, but whatever her reason I truly love the idea of The Queen chilling at Buck House, her corgis at her feet, poring over magazines, nerding out about the newest cameras. I wonder if she'd have thought about doing them an instagram account like our Archie?

A close-up of Queen Elizabeth II, in a pale red, feathered, felt hat and a wool cape. Shooting with a Leica M3 camera while attending an equestrian event, Windsor, England, circa 1975. Photo by Derek Hudson/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II seen holding her Leica M6 camera as she watches Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh compete in the Driven Dressage element of the Carriage Driving Competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park on May 17, 2002 in Windsor, England. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

I truly love the idea of The Queen chilling at Buck House, her corgis at her feet, poring over magazines, nerding out about the newest cameras.

Small, portable and dipped in 24-carat gold. The Queen and her Rollei 35. Taken in 1982 when Her Majesty was on a royal visit to the Pacific island of Tuvalu. Wearing a floral pink hat and coordinated flowery dress—as well those signature gloves—she can be seen holding up the Rollei 35 camera to capture her gorgeous surroundings.

Around 1965, The Queen also was spotted sporting a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex (TLR). Stunning cameras to use and handle, we love the sense of separation between you and your subject when you view your shots through the waist-level viewfinder. Owning a Rollei TLR is a testament to any photographer’s excellent taste in gear.

Queen Elizabeth II carrying a Rolleiflex camera at Badminton Horse Trials, United Kingdom, circa 1965. Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II also liked to shoot home movies too, a shot here with a Kodak 16mm Cine, filming the arrival of the escort ship HMNZS Black Prince. They were out in the South Pacific en route to Fiji, aboard the SS Gothic during the coronation world tour on 11th December 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II filming the arrival of the escort ship HMNZS Black Prince, while in the South Pacific en route to Fiji, aboard the SS Gothic during the coronation world tour, 11th December 1953. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

“Grief is the price we pay for love”
Queen Elizabeth II

Rest in peace, Your Majesty.

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