Woman who took iconic royal photo speaks out about global media attention

‘This photo will form part of history’

Karen Anvil (GoffPhotos)

The woman who took one of the most iconic photos of the young royals to date has spoken out about the global media attention that she’s received since.

When Karen Anvil visited Sandringham on Christmas Day with her daughter, she was only expecting to glimpse the royal family and perhaps take the odd photo if the opportunity arose.

However, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle walked by in a row, Anvil took a money-making shot.

After sharing the photo on Twitter, Anvil was bombarded with messages from admirers of her photography and numerous media outlets asking to use the photo.

While Anvil initially showed her generosity by allowing publications to use the photo for free, she now uses an agent to distribute the photo after receiving advice from royal photographers to do so.

“My phone will ring at work and I have to say to my colleagues, ‘Oh it’s just my agent,’” Anvil told the BBC.

“Obviously they think it’s hilarious, but I feel so silly.”

Karen Anvil (GoffPhotos)

The photo has been displayed by over 50 publications from around the world and Anvil has received offers to work elsewhere as a result of her newfound fame.

“I’ve had some offers to do work but they’re just too cringe, to be honest. Some friends have told me I should do Gogglebox.”

“It’s not really for me though.”

As a single mother, Anvil supports her daughter Rachel, a budding nursing student, by maintaining two jobs.

She hopes that the money she receives from the photo can help fund part of her daughter’s education.

“This photo will form part of history, and any parents would take this opportunity to provide for their children,” she says.

While it’s been widely circulated that the photo will pay for her daughter’s entire nursing degree, Anvil has clarified that it’ll allow Rachel to study without having to worry about holding down a job in her spare time.

“My daughter wants to study nursing and will have full-time working placements,” she explains.

“But what I want is to provide for her so she doesn’t have to work an extra job on top of her placements and studying.

“I’ll be able to pay for all her books and help pay her rent - that’s what I’d like to get out of this."