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Arthur Edwards MBE

Arthur Edwards

Areas of Interest

Media

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2012

Biography

Arthur Edwards is an eminent photographer, who for 30 years has captured iconic and intimate images of the royal family, giving the British public a remarkable insight into the working and personal lives of Her Majesty the Queen and close family members.

Arthur left school at the age of 15 and went to work as a photographer at a West End advertising agency. His reputation quickly grew and he joined The Sun in 1974. One day his editor gave him a particularly exciting assignment - to go out and find the mystery girl Prince Charles was dating. Prince Charles was less than impressed by the attention he received, but Arthur succeeded in photographing the unknown Lady Diana Spencer.

One characteristic that marks Arthur out among his peers is his ability to develop close relationships with the people he photographs. He was Diana's favourite royal photographer and he accompanied Charles and Diana on many trips overseas.

Wherever the royal family have travelled on behalf of the British people, Arthur Edwards has gone with them - from the Queen's tour of Australia and New Zealand, to Price Harry's gap-year trip to Africa. Arthur has captured images that will continue to be viewed and enjoyed for many years to come.



Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Arthur Edwards, MBE for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa.

Arthur Edwards is an eminent photographer, who for 30 years has captured iconic and intimate images of the royal family, giving the British public a remarkable insight into the working and personal lives of Her Majesty the Queen and close family members.

Born in the East End of London in 1940, Arthur left school at the age of 15 and went to work as a photographer at a West End advertising agency, and it was here that he began honing the skills that would serve him so well throughout his illustrious career. That Arthur should become a professional photographer was never really in doubt. His mother bought him a Rolleiflex camera for his 18th birthday, enabling him to start freelancing at weekends. Arthur's reputation quickly grew, and he practised his craft at several East London newspapers before joining The Sun in 1974, where he worked for a number of years in general news.

Then one day his editor, Larry Lamb, gave him a particularly exciting assignment - to go out and find the mystery girl Prince Charles was dating. Unsurprisingly, Prince Charles was less than impressed by the special attention he received, but Arthur's persistence paid off and he succeeded in photographing the unknown Lady Diana Spencer at a polo match.

One characteristic that marks Arthur out among his peers is his ability to develop close relationships with the people he photographs. He was Diana's favourite royal photographer - she referred to him as 'our Arthur' - and he accompanied Charles and Diana on many trips overseas. In fact, his pictures represent a history of their lives together, from those early days as a courting couple, to the royal wedding, right through to the famous image of Diana alone in front of the Taj Mahal.

Arthur's ability to win the trust of so many members of the royal family has allowed him access to many remarkable places and events. One of these moments came as he was covering Prince Charles's visit to the Vatican and his Royal Highness calmly introduced Arthur to the Pope, who proceeded to grant him a private audience. Wherever the royal family have travelled on behalf of the British people, Arthur Edwards has gone with them - from the Queen's tour of Australia and New Zealand, to Price Harry's gap-year trip to Africa; from the inside of the White House, to the Kremlin. Arthur has captured images that have been cherished by millions, and will continue to be viewed and enjoyed for many years to come.

Arthur vowed not to retire until he saw Prince William married and 30 years after covering the wedding of Charles and Diana, he saw his ambition fulfilled when he performed the same role at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Although Arthur has spent a substantial part of his career on the road, he is very much a family man. Married to Ann, a retired nurse, the couple have three children - John, Paul and Annmarie. John is picture editor at The Sun and Paul also works for the paper, not surprisingly, as a photographer.

Arthur Edwards is very much local lad made good. One of Britain's best known and most highly respected photographers, his professional career has been characterised by a high degree of technical expertise and a personal integrity that has served him, his subjects and his audience very well.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Arthur Edwards MBE for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa."