Ken Lennox is one of the best-loved and most engaging celebrities on the cruise ship circuit. He took his first photograph of the Queen when he was just 13 and sold it to the Express. The editor laughed we Ken turned up at his office in his school uniform as he had no idea that he was a boy. Ken continued to sell pictures to the paper and take local commissions.
Ken talks about the dress code for photographers, taking over as the picture editor at The Sun, his first engagement to talk on ships being after Gulf War 1 where he had been a war photographer. He is a relaxed free speaker because he is just telling tales about his incredible career.
He continued to take pictures of her majesty throughout his career and tells of her wearing at the D-Day celebrations then carrying his film back to get it in London faster than he could. There is no doubt that they were in some form or other professional colleagues. He stops short of suggesting they could be considered friends and respects protocol. He explains that being press core is quite different to being a paparazzi and how he also had to follow Lady Diana. In Sydney, the princess's royal gaud held him on the running board of her car as he snapped pictures. He was often told where he could be if he did not also find his own positions.
His favourite picture of HRH Queen Elizabeth II is the one out with the gun dogs, but there have been many, and each has a story of interaction with the Royal family. However, when he snapped Diana in her bikini, and the paper published it, that seemed a step too far and he was almost arrested in the Bahamas and was banished to the north pole which had amused both the Queen and Lady Diana. Both joked with him about it afterwards.
Jean asks if he was ever forgiven, but that story continues in Part 2 of this incredibly special interview.
Get bonus content on Patreon
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.