Friday, 23 August 2013

Prince George: First official royal baby photo with Duke and Duchess of ...

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  • Michael Middleton took the official portrait at their family home in Berkshire and even included dogs Lupo and Tilly

  • Pictures show a smiling Duke and Duchess of Cambridge holding a sleeping Prince George in the sunny garden

  • Critics say the photographs are charming but technically poor as he shot into the light

  • Sources said the couple chose not to have a professional photographer so not to ‘burst the happy little family bubble’



By

Rebecca English Royal Correspondent




PUBLISHED:


00:00, 20 August 2013




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UPDATED:


12:28, 20 August 2013










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    A future king sleeps peacefully in the arms of his doting mother in a family snapshot… taken by his grandfather.


    Previous royal heirs, Prince William included, have had their first official portraits taken by society legends such as Sir Cecil Beaton and Lord Snowdon.


    But Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge owes his to a humble ‘point and shoot’ wielded by Kate’s father, Michael Middleton.


    Scroll down for video


    Sun and heir: Mr Middleton opted to shoot straight into the light for his snapshot of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and baby George


    Sun and heir: Mr Middleton opted to shoot straight into the light for his snapshot of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and baby George, and managed to cut off the nose of retriever Tilly, left. The Cambridge’s cocker spaniel Lupo, right, emerged unscathed



    That


    That’s better: Mr Middleton’s second photo produces much more appealing results, with the couple and their sleeping prince emerging from the blinding sunlight


    And the setting? The Middletons’

    sun-dappled back garden in Berkshire, with family pets Lupo and Tilly

    even getting in on the act.


    The

    finished result may have charm but is technically poor and lacks the

    gravitas of previous official photographs, according to experts.


    Critics will also no doubt seize on Mr Middleton’s decision to break the cardinal rule of photography – shooting into the light.


    But according to celebrity photographer Brian Aris, the snapshots are ‘refreshing’.


    He told the Mail: ‘It’s an unusual decision but perhaps reflects the young approach that Prince William wants to bring to bear.


    ‘The

    decision to take them in such an informal manner means they, perhaps,

    lack the level of gravitas that would normally be expected.


    ‘But on the whole I would say this is quite refreshing.’


    Family affair: Sources said they did not want a professional to


    The boy who will be king: Prince George in his mother’s arms



    He added: ‘Taking a professional portrait of a young baby is quite an intrusive procedure, given the lighting and strobes you would need.


    ‘So perhaps they have had the right idea after all. It’s just a different approach and the images are rather charming.’


    Kensington Palace said the photographs

    were taken with an inexpensive camera in early August while the Duke

    and Duchess of Cambridge were staying with internet millionaires Carole

    and Michael Middleton at their £4.8million Berkshire mansion.


    Both

    photos show the couple posing with George, who is swaddled in the same

    shawl by Nottinghamshire firm G?H Hurt and Son Ltd that he left hospital

    in. 





    Was THIS the maestro


    Was THIS the maestro


    Was THIS the maestro’s first effort? Mr Middleton, left, took this photo of wife Carole and daughter Kate in 1982 (right)



    Similar: Mr Middleton


    Similar: Mr Middleton’s pictures of the Royals on the grass in his Berkshire garden echo those of the young Prince William taken in the grounds of Government House in Auckland, New Zealand




    Kate is wearing a £46 fuchsia-coloured knot front dress by maternity wear firm Seraphine, but appears to have shed a great deal of her baby weight.


    William is casually dressed in a blue checked shirt, tucked into jeans, and his favourite African-style belt.


    Both look a little baggy-eyed due to lack of sleep – the prince more than his wife – but are clearly overjoyed at being parents to a beautiful, healthy baby boy.


    Given the illustrious history of royal family portraits, the Cambridges’ decision to use one of proud grandpa Mike’s happy family snaps is a startling break with tradition. 


    According to well-placed sources, the decision was very much William’s and Kate’s.


    It is understood the couple were keen

    ‘not to burst the happy little family bubble’ they have existed in at

    the Middleton family home since George’s birth.



    First shots: Mr Middleton



    First shots: Mr Middleton’s images are the first pictures of the young Royals since Prince George was introduced to the world outside St Mary’s Hospital last month


    ‘They

    are a young couple who have just had their first baby and are enjoying

    time as a family together but, of course, there has been huge demand

    from the public to see some official photographs of Prince George,’ said

    an aide.


    ‘It seemed

    perfectly natural to them to pose for a few nice family snapshots which

    they could then issue. It [the Middleton family home] is just where they

    feel happy and most comfortable.’


    The

    Mail also understands the couple were keen to take the wind out of the

    sails of the huge international market for unofficial paparazzi pictures

    of George by releasing their own as soon as possible.


    The way they were – classy but a bit dull


    The first official portrait of Prince Charles is a study in royal portraiture.


    Taken

    by legendary English photographer, Sir Cecil Beaton, the image of the

    Queen gazing at her son was shot at Buckingham Palace in December 1948

    when he was just a month old.


    Fast-forward

    more than 30 years, and a startled-looking Prince William is introduced

    to the world by the Queen’s brother-in-law Lord Snowdon, another

    celebrated photographer.


    Traditional: Cecil Beaton


    and the formal portrait of Prince William and his parents (right) by Lord Snowdon in 1982


    Traditional: Cecil Beaton’s 1948 photo of Prince Charles (left) and the formal portrait of Prince William and his parents (right) by Lord Snowdon in 1982



    Although

    more relaxed, the photo is still a formal portrait of a future king,

    proudly showing off the next generation of the family line.


    The

    Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s decision to use one of Mike Middleton’s

    happy family snaps is thus a substantial break with tradition.


    According

    to sources, the decision was very much William and Kate’s. ‘It’s where

    they feel happy and most comfortable,’ said an aide.


    They went on to explain that the pictures were a mark of thanks for the privacy they had been given after the birth.


    ‘They asked the media to give them some time as a family and the British media have done that,’ they said.




    PARTY PIECES TIPS MICHAEL MIDDLETON CAN’T HAVE READ…


    Kate Middleton’s father ignored photography advice on his own website when he took the first snaps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George.


    The Party Pieces website tells amateur photographers to ensure ‘natural light is behind you’ when taking pictures at family occasions.


    But in his images of the couple with the newborn prince, Mr Middleton pictured them with the sun behind them, casting their faces into shadow.


    Other advice on the site includes dressing children so their outfits don’t clash and using ‘toilet humour’ to make them laugh.


    As the photographer, Michael Middleton is automatically entitled to copyright of the image under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act.


    But last night it emerged that he has already handed over ownership of the pictures.


    This means he won’t be entitled to any money when they are printed – and Kate and William will be able to control their use.







    The comments below have not been moderated.



    We are from the United States. Most Americans, especially those with English and Scottish ancestors, consider the Royal Family to be royalty, in every sense of the word. We love them.


    From afar, it appears the Middleton Family have overstepped acceptable social boundaries, with Kate’s blessing. I am pleased Prince William is bending over backwards to please and accomodate the Middleton Family. That is honorable. But, it seems he has allowed the commoner’s to disrespect the royal family and their place in society.


    If Michael MIddleton wants to be famous for something…he’s done a good job. He can now be remembered for being a “Jack of trades, and master of none.” Shame on Kate for not stepping in and handling her family and the official photogh with grace. I have lost much respect for her. We’re also tired of hearing about “Pippa.” Seems the entire Middleton Clan are begging to be famous, and want to be considered royalty.


    The Middleton Family are not royalty.



    Holee Cow

    ,


    Bozeman, United States,

    21/8/2013 21:35


    Report abuse


    “They look nice, but I always come back to why doesn’t Wills wear a wedding ring? – Scooby, United States” ———- It’s because he doesn’t love her enough. He broke up with Kate numerous times and waited a decade before marrying her. When he last broke up with her after telling the Queen he wasn’t sure if he loved her enough, in 2007, he famously danced on the tables at Mahiki yelling “I’m free! He wanted Isabella Calthorpe and dumped Kate to pursue her but she wasn’t interested. Kate was the default option. He got back with her after her media campaign, in which she went out every night wearing short, low-cut dresses and appeared on the front pages of the papers every morning. From then on he was stuck because he couldn’t dump her again. Her determination won. I don’t believe in their marriage – William was too reluctant for too long. If he had got the girl he wanted, I’m sure he would have married her much sooner and worn a ring. This is a marriage of circumstance, not true love.



    Jones

    ,


    Shanghai, China,

    21/8/2013 20:57


    Report abuse


    I think it is sweet, a grandpa taking a pic of his daughter and her family. All are proud of the new addition and rightfully so, so what is wrong with his picture, nothing. As far as people constantly bringing up that the other royals family members are not constantly in the news, well maybe that is because William is the future King, after his father. The other royals are too far from the throne for the media to chase and hound. The Middletons got a lot of unwanted attention once their daughter was officially announced as Williams future wife, and it has not stopped. So Mike Tindle’s family is not chased by the media because his wife is too far from that throne. The closer you are the more attention you get wanted or not.



    DD

    ,


    Somewhere out there,

    21/8/2013 20:44


    Report abuse


    They look nice, but I always come back to why doesn’t Wills wear a wedding ring? I think its odd. I would not be ok with my husband deciding not to wear one. I don’t get it. What point is he trying to make?



    scoobydoo

    ,


    in the mystery machine, United States,

    21/8/2013 18:51


    Report abuse


    The only interesting article I’ve found on this photograph can be googled by entering the search terms royal baby pictures trying failing look normal.



    Olivia Aaron

    ,


    Santa Cruz, United States,

    21/8/2013 16:20


    Report abuse


    I think it’s funny how they try to pretend to be normal and pretend frugal by not having a professional photographer with their what is it now three, four houses, or is it five and with their how many luxury vacations to Switzerland and Mustique in the past two and half years? Yeah, they’re normal. LOL! Even more funny is how many readers on this comments page lap it up.



    Olivia Aaron

    ,


    Santa Cruz, United States,

    21/8/2013 15:21


    Report abuse


    Congratulations! Beautiful Baby and Young Family. I love these photographs! The photographs are just lovely. This baby is Gorgeous George! He is a keeper for sure as are these photos.

    This is what normal families do and hopefully normal royal families as well.

    Well done to the proud Grandfather Middleton. .



    chauceroh

    ,


    Sausalito, United States,

    21/8/2013 14:20


    Report abuse


    It is completely apparent that they do not care about “Professional Photography” – ” daddy c’mon just take this one – it will be “GOOD ENOUGH”.” This is one for the screen saver. A disgrace.


    The ones from the past are simply breathtaking! Works of art! Maybe the will take the ” file” and hang the file on their wall.



    JerryT54

    ,


    Hatboro, United States,

    21/8/2013 12:53


    Report abuse


    That’s a mother of a new born baby. You see warmth? I see a ferociously polished performance. William looks human. I’m not sure what Kate is. Big gold star, Kate. Yet again, you’ve won whatever Competition is going on in your mind. Poor George.



    me

    ,


    here, United Kingdom,

    21/8/2013 12:50


    Report abuse


    It is apparent that they ” DO NOT CARE” about professional portraits, ” daddy just take this and get it over with”. Well THIS GRANDPA who is a professional photographer will take a beautiful professional portrait of his grandson and his parents. Let’s just call this one – ” One for the screen saver”!



    JerryT54

    ,


    Hatboro, United States,

    21/8/2013 12:46


    Report abuse



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