King Charles III and photographer Arthur Edwards reflect on 1980 Highgrove clash

Veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards is reflecting on his long-standing relationship with King Charles III, which began with a heated confrontation at Highgrove House in 1980. During the incident, the then-Prince of Wales confronted Edwards for being on land he believed was private, leading the photographer to retort, “At least I’ve got a job!”

Edwards, who has photographed the Windsor family since the mid-1970s, detailed the encounter in his book, “Cup of Tea, Arthur? My Extraordinary 50 Years Photographing the Royal Family.” He described the early years of his career as a period of intense friction between tabloid journalists and the royal household regarding privacy and access.

Despite the initial hostility, the relationship evolved over five decades from professional confrontation to mutual respect and familiarity. Edwards, now 86, noted that while his early approach was aggressive, the King has been forgiving of their past tensions.