Photographer Jim Bennett recently discussed a significant image he captured last Monday of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
This image garnered global attention as it marked the couple's first public appearance in months, following Princess Kate Middleton's public apology for editing a photo of her with her children. Interestingly, Bennett had no idea that Princess Kate was in the car with Prince William when he took the photo.
In an interview with HELLO!, Bennett revealed his initial expectation was to photograph Prince William alone as he headed to the Commonwealth Day service in London. “We were doing some work in Windsor and were commissioned by two publications to get an early shot of Prince William on his way to Westminster Abbey,” he explained.
However, upon reviewing the images on a computer, Bennett was surprised to discover that Princess Kate was also in the car. The photograph depicts the royal couple seated in the back of their black Land Rover, traveling from Adelaide Cottage to Windsor. According to reports, the Princess of Wales had a private engagement in London that day.
“We focused on William because he was on official duty. We received permission to photograph him as he was traveling to Westminster Abbey,” Jim clarified. In January, it was announced that Princess Kate had undergone abdominal surgery, and Kensington Palace stated she would not resume public duties until after Easter, following her recovery period.
The authenticity of Kate's photos came under scrutiny after it was revealed that a Mother's Day photo with her children had been digitally altered. This raised questions about other images, including Bennett’s photograph. However, Bennett defended the authenticity of his work.
“With over 40 years in photography, the request to capture William was significant. Though the image wasn’t of the highest quality, it was crucial,” he said. “On a scale of one to ten, it’s probably the least favorable car shot I’ve taken in a decade. The situation required quick action. Despite the image quality, it was important enough to publish,” he added.
“The photo of William was decent, but it was only later we confirmed that Kate was next to him. Although she isn’t clearly visible, you can tell she is there. The press office later confirmed her presence in the vehicle,” Bennett concluded.
