“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations of their wedding on Saturday,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said Monday. “They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in Windsor and also all those who watched the wedding on television across the UK, Commonwealth, and around the world. Their Royal Highnesses are delighted with these official portraits taken by Alexi Lubomirski and are happy to be able to share them today. They would also like to say thank you for all of the generous messages of support they have received.”
Image courtesy of Alexi Lubomirski.
Lubormiski, who trained with Mario Testino and has royal lineage himself, was in attendance at the royal wedding. “It has been an incredible honor and privilege to document The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s inspiring journey of love, hope and family; from the engagement photos, all the way through to the official wedding and family portraits on Saturday. This has been a beautiful chapter in my career and life, that I will happily never forget.”
Two of the portraits were family photos taken in the Green Drawing Room, and only the bridal party appeared in both portraits with Prince Harry and Meghan. The third photo features the couple on the East Terrace, the only image taken in black and white.
Image courtesy of Alexi Lubomirski.
The images have an air of regality and yet they feel more casual and warmer than previous royal portraits like the photograph taken for Will and Kate’s 2011 wedding. And unlike Will and Kate, Harry and Meghan had solo couple portraits done. The images are relaxed and intimate, with the couple sitting in each other’s arms and smiling.
The family portraits also carry that same warmth, an image many speculate is intentional on the part of the royal family. The wedding marks the first time a woman of mixed race has joined the British royal family—and the first time an American has married someone in line to the throne. The presence of Markle and her mother (a social worker who made the royal wedding infinitely cooler by wearing a nose ring) make history—and set these royal portraits apart from their predecessors in a big way.
The formal red is replaced by a cool mint green, highlighting the white of Markle’s dress and the bridal party’s dresses, with some members sitting relaxed on the floor and Charlotte sitting on Catherine’s lap. And maybe it’s just our imagination, but the smiles on the faces of the wedding party feel a little more genuine.
Meet the new royal family—it’s been a long time coming.