An exhibition of over 100 photographs of the Royal Family is now showing at The Queen’s Gallery in Edinburgh to celebrate the work of Marcus Adams. Widely acclaimed for his photographic portraits of children, Adams created a unique record of two generations of royal children between 1926 and 1956.
The exhibition includes vintage prints from almost all the royal sittings, many from the personal collection of Queen Elizabeth ,The Queen Mother and provides an enchanting and intimate glimpse of the Royal Family over 30 years.
Marcus Adams presented a fresh, natural and vibrant view of royalty, overturning the long tradition of formal portraiture. His images were disseminated through newspapers and magazines, postcards, postage stamps, calendars, commemorative china, even appearing on biscuit tins and jigsaw puzzles.
Among the exhibition highlights is a series of photographs of Her Majesty The Queen when she was just seven months old – these are taken from Princess Elizabeth’s first-ever sitting with Marcus Adams on 2 December 1926. The exhibition also includes a portrait of the Royal Family taken just four days after the Duke of York ascended to the throne on 11 December 1936, and a striking head-and-shoulders portrait of Princess Elizabeth, now heir presumptive to the throne.
Marcus Adams’ association with the Royal Family continued after the marriage of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in 1947 and the birth of Prince Charles (born in November 1948) and Princess Anne (born in August 1950). Of his long relationship with the Royal Family, Marcus Adams said, ‘I have had more joy from that family than from any. They are full of fun.’
Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer
Until June 5th
The Queen’s Gallery
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Canongate, The Royal Mile, EH8 8DX
An accompanying book (120 pages, over 160 colour illustrations, price £9.95) is available from the Royal Collection’s online shop.
