Royalty himself, the prince of a noble Polish family, Alexi Lubomirski is a renowned fashion photographer who has shot for the likes of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and GQ, and was Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry’s photographer of choice for their engagement and wedding shoots.
Just over a year since he photographed their fairy tale wedding, Alexi writes for Vogue‘s 2019 Royal Special issue, sharing what it was like to work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, revealing there was this “little sparkle” which showed they were “obviously so in love”.
The look of love! Meghan dazzles in a Ralph & Russo gown while Harry dons a navy suit for the intimate photos. (Image: Alexi Lubomirski via Getty)
Alexi recalls when he went to go talk to Harry and Meghan about their engagement shoot in late 2017 they asked him how he wanted to do the shoot and how he envisioned it looking.
“There were a few of us in the room and every time Harry and Meghan would talk, one of them would look at the other and there would be this little sparkle, this little giggle, this little nudge of the elbow, and it was so cute,” Alexi writes.
“I said to them: ‘Listen, stop. This is exactly what I want to do. You’re so adorable together, you’re obviously so in love and all I want you to do is this.'”
Talking about the adorable image of Meghan wrapped up in Harry’s jacket in the grounds of Frogmore House, Alexi writes: “The hairs went up on the back of my neck as I was taking the pictures.
“She looked up at him and they were giggling and the ring came out of the jacket, and I was snapping and I’m like: ‘Yes, yes, yes, this is amazing. This is it.’
“I think they were laughing at my over-ecstatic behaviour and then again they were giggling with each other – they get in their own world.
“That was it, and I got the shot.”
“They were giggling with each other – they get in their own world,” Alexi reveals of this gorgeous shot. (Image: Alexi Lubormirski via Getty)
While Alexi says photographing the wedding last year was equally as fantastic, he says it was “a different kettle of fish,” as there was less time to really get into the moment.
This isn’t the first time the Polish photographer has opened up about working with the royal couple, who have just welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, earlier this month.
Talking to the BBC just after the royal wedding last year, Alexi revealed how he managed to sneak in the quick shoot to capture the now iconic black and white image of Meghan and Harry on the steps of the East Terrace at Windsor Castle.
The now iconic black and white photograph of Harry and Meghan taken on the steps of Windsor Castle’s East Terrace. (Image: Alexi Lubomirski via Getty)
“We went out there and had about three and a half minutes to take some quick shots because everything was running like clockwork,” Alexi reflected.
“The sun is setting just over the top of Windsor Castle just behind them, it was just the most serene, beautiful light, they’re in love, walking around this beautiful garden.
“It was just one of those magical moments when you’re a photographer and everything falls into place. I said ‘just before you go, sit on those stairs.'”
As for how Alexi captured the beautiful group shots in the Green Drawing Room, in particular, how he got the whole bridal party, made up of ten page boys and flower girls to sit still and smile?
Chocolate!
The photographer got the bridal party to smile by asking them “who likes smarties?” Prince George is clearly a big fan! (Image: Alexi Lubormirski via Getty)
“They were being bribed with one Smartie here, one Smartie there,” Alexi shares.
“As soon as the kids came onto the set, I immediately just shouted, ‘Who likes Smarties?’ and then everybody, hands up, smiles, even some adults put their hands up,” he reveals.
“So that was our magic word of the day, so thank you, Smarties.”
Alexi was originally connected to the royal couple via Instagram, when a friend of Meghan’s thought he’d be the perfect fit for the couple.
“It was nutty,” the photographer revealed to E! News.
“It was a very surreal end to the year because it came out of nowhere.
“I think one of Meghan’s friends saw me on Instagram, that I was in England during the announcement of their engagement, and I was told later that this person said to her, ‘You should meet Alexi. He’s great. You’d love him,’ and that was it.”
Alexi reveals that it was thanks to Instagram that he got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shoot the royal wedding. (Image: Alexi Lubomirski via Getty)
And it’s clear Alexi’s beautiful work hasn’t gone unnoticed by other members of the royal family.
In April, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla shared a beautiful, intimate image of the two to mark their 14-year wedding anniversary, taken by none other than Alexi.
Shared to the couple’s official Instagram page, Clarence House, the black and white image was captioned: “Thank you for your warm wishes on the occasion of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s wedding anniversary,” with the photo credited to Alexi.
