Photographing The Queen

This short documentary for the Royal Collection explores the extraordinary story behind the official portraits that came to define Queen Elizabeth II’s visual identity in the early 1950s. At the heart of the film is the work of Dorothy Wilding, the groundbreaking British portrait photographer commissioned to capture the first official photographs of the young Queen shortly after her accession to the throne in 1952.

Wilding’s refined, elegant style — developed over decades photographing royalty and high society — brought a new visual language to the monarchy. Working closely with Queen Elizabeth II, she produced a series of striking images that were used around the world: from postage stamps to embassy walls.

With rare archival material and expert commentary, the film offers a behind-the-scenes look at Wilding’s innovative techniques, including her pioneering use of colour transparencies. These portraits not only captured the Queen’s poise and grace but helped shape the global image of the modern British monarchy.