Retired PA photographer John Stillwell has opened up about the Queen's Christmas speeches and given a rare insight into what happens behind the cameras
December 23, 2022 - 10:24 GMT Andrea Caamano With just two days until the whole of the nation and the Commonwealth can listen to King Charles' first Christmas message, Andrea Caamano, co-host of HELLO!'s new podcast, A Right Royal Podcast, caught up with retired PA photographer John Stillwell to talk royal Christmases.
John, who photographed the royals for 30 years, had the privilege of witnessing the late Queen record her Christmas messages for nearly a decade – and has given HELLO! listeners a real insight into what happened inside Buckingham Palace during the recording – also recalling the time a"mumbling" Queen was asked to reread her lines by a cheeky producer."They would record it [Christmas speech] and it's normally two weeks before Christmas.
He goes on to add:"Once that was finished, the camera that filmed her making the speech would be taken away and I would take up exactly the same position. So, you got the same view. I would take her pictures; I would only be seconds taking it."King Charles has already recorded his first Christmas speech as monarch, and it will air on Christmas Day
"It was her job doing the Christmas broadcast, but it was a job I think she enjoyed doing," he explained.Listen to our very first episode above, dedicated to royals at Christmas.
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