A Royal Photographer Opens Up About Prince Harry's First Day at Work as a New Dad
Getty's royal photographer Chris Jackson has been documenting Prince Harry's work with the Invictus Games for years. But this morning's engagement in the Netherlands, which marked the Duke of Sussex's official return to work following the birth of his son Archie, was different, if only because Prince Harry is now a father.
"Prince Harry seemed to be on fantastic form today, and was certainly all smiles as he met the competitors at the event in the Hague," Jackson tells Town & Country via email about the event, which officially launched the 2020 Invictus Games.
For those unfamiliar, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive sport competition for wounded servicemen, women, and veterans, which Prince Harry founded in 2014. Today's events marked the one-year countdown to the 2020 games, which will take place in the Hague.
"It was fantastic to be documenting an Invictus event again today," Jackson continued. "After the incredibly successful Invictus Sydney I think everyone is massively looking forward to Invictus in the Hague in 2020. It’s an event that means so much to the Duke of Sussex."
It's certainly a bit unusual for a new dad to travel internationally so soon after the birth of his first child, but Harry was committed to being in the Netherlands today, supporting a project he is clearly so passionate about.
"Whilst a huge team of people work hard to make Invictus what it is today Prince Harry remains the 'spiritual figurehead' of this event he originally conceived," Jackson explains. "The passion, and blood, sweat, and tears that goes into the organization of Invictus is something I’m sure the Prince respects hugely, so he would have understood the importance of his role in proceedings."
Jackson captured numerous photos today, but a few stand out in his mind.
"I love the shots of the new Dad riding a bike in the spring sunshine between engagements, the perfect way to view the venue," he says. "Bikes have always been the best way to get around Invictus events and this is certainly the land of pedal-power so it was great to see these two things coming together."
Jackson was also fond of the moment Prince Harry received a onesie (which is also known as a baby grow in the U.K.) as a gift for his baby.
"I loved the moment the Prince was presented with a baby grow for Archie-a lighthearted moment and great photo!" he says.
Jackson recently became a father himself. His wife Natasha Archer, who serves as the Duchess of Cambridge's stylist and personal assistant, gave birth to their son Theo just a few months ago, so he can relate to what Harry is going through as a new father.
"Speaking from first hand experience, being a new dad is literally the most exhilarating and tiring thing you can experience so it was fantastic to see the excitement that enveloped the nation (and world) around the birth of baby Archie," Jackson says.
"A royal baby is always a huge cause for celebration and having photographed Prince Harry for many years I’m excited to be documenting a new chapter of his life."
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