Mermaid, the little I know is that Prince Andrew was often criticised for being a poor photographer by many professional photographers. In particular, they criticised an informal portrait of the Queen standing (from memory) in front of a fireplace. Apparently it was a 'bad portrait'. I have to confess that I didn't see a thing wrong with the photo - in fact, I thought it was a nice, informal picture of a smiling monarch.
Prince Andrew's 'photographic guru' [as the press dubbed him at the time] was the technically talented Gene Nocon, who 'advised' and 'assisted' Andrew in his photographic endeavours, and [IIRC] I believe he also 'collaborated' / co-authored Prince Andrew's book. From my hazy memory at the time, any photos that were felt to be 'acceptable' by the Press were attributed to the 'talent' of Nocon and any photos taken by Andrew that were felt to be 'poor' subjected poor old Nocon to a form of disapproval, or at least 'association with (allegedly) inferior photos'. In other words, Andrew and Nocon 'couldn't win'!!
Without any evidence in support of what I am about to say, I would speculate that Prince Andrew gave up 'public' photography, no doubt discouraged, but presumably remains an avid amateur photographer, probably taking lots of happy snaps of Beatrice and Eugenie. The Queen, incidentally, is apparently an enthusiastic amateur photographer as well.
Piece of useless information: Royal photos used to be developed for the royals by Wallace Heaton of Bond Street. It was also customary that if friends of the royal family took 'private photos' of the BRF at private events and parties etc, it was requested that the films [as they were in those days, it was before digital photography] were then sent to be developed at Wallace Heaton. This firm was regarded as totally discreet and was also apparently required to RETAIN the negatives, returning ONLY the prints to the photographer.
Wallace Heaton [which used to be a Royal Warrant Holder] was subsequently taken over by 'cheap and cheerful' electrical retailers Dixons, who retained the 'Wallace Heaton' name above the shop and continued to have Royal Patronage. Dixons itself then moved out of Bond Street [expensive rent] and then itself changed into PC World. Not sure what happens to Royal films etc now.
Alex
I liked the photographs as well and thought that the picture of the Queen was very nice.
I remember flipping through the book on a couple of occasions, and I liked the photos. I remember the one of Prince Edward posing with a walking-stick like one of his ancestors and also the one of the model (Katie Rabett?). I think that she was sitting or half-reclining on a stone bridge.
