Kate Middleton ‘killed market’ for royal paparazzi photos

The Duchess of Cambridge is killing off the paparazzi market with her candid photographs after being inspired by Princess Victoria of Sweden’s similar approach, according to a royal expert.

Kate, 38, who is currently living at her Norfolk home of Anmer Hall with Prince William and their children, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, thrilled fans this weekend with a selection of new family snaps. 

Released to mark her husband’s 38th birthday and Father’s Day, both of which occured on Sunday, the images showed the Duke of Cambridge affectionately embracing his dad Prince Charles and larking around with his children.

Royal expert Camilla Tominey claims intimate photos such as these have ‘killed, stone dead, the market for paparazzi shots’, and suggested Kate has been taking a leaf out of the European royals’ book.

The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured last week) is killing off the paparazzi market with her candid photographs after being inspired by Princess Victoria of Sweden’s similar approach, according to a royal expert

Kate, 38, who is currently living at her Norfolk home of Anmer Hall with Prince William and their children, Prince George , six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis , two, thrilled fans this weekend with a selection of new family snaps (pictured)

The Duke of Cambridge with his children at his Norfolk home last week

Kate, 38, who is currently living at her Norfolk home of Anmer Hall with Prince William and their children, Prince George , six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis , two, thrilled fans this weekend with a selection of new family snaps (pictured)

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she explained: ‘Why would any newspapers or magazines want to run grainy long-lens images of the royals in private when they themselves are willing to serve up crystal clear Instagram-style shots? 

‘Of course there still is, and always will be, a place for experienced lensmen and women to capture the big royal moments. However, it has always been these more candid camera shots that the public has craved. 

‘…When it comes to seeing the “real” royals behind their public personas, the Duchess is fast becoming the monarchy’s leading chronicler of modern royal life.’

Released to mark her husband's 38th birthday and Father's Day, both of which occured on Sunday, the images showed the Duke of Cambridge larking around with his children (above)

Released to mark her husband’s 38th birthday and Father’s Day, both of which occured on Sunday, the images showed the Duke of Cambridge larking around with his children (above)

She said that Kate’s control of royal images by offering candid looks behind the palace gates was inspired by how Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden, manages the media with regard to photography of her children.

The mother-of-two and heir apparent to the Swedish throne released her own photographs of her first child, Estelle, now eight, who was born a year before Prince George in 2012.

They went down a storm with the public, and according to Ms Tominey, keen amateur photographer Kate soon realised how she could offer a glimpse of her children without thrusting them into the spotlight. 

Royal expert Camilla Tominey claims intimate photos such as these  (pictured) have 'killed, stone dead, the market for paparazzi shots' and suggested Kate has been taking a leaf out of the European royals' book

Royal expert Camilla Tominey claims intimate photos such as these  (pictured) have ‘killed, stone dead, the market for paparazzi shots’ and suggested Kate has been taking a leaf out of the European royals’ book

The remarks come as royal sources told People magazine that Kate ‘is relishing the role more than ever’ despite the ‘phenomenal workload’. 

‘Those who know her say there is a real core of strength, and she did set her mind to the job. But at the same time, she’d have to be superhuman not to feel the pressure,’ Sarah Gristwood, author of Elizabeth: The Queen and the Crown said.

A source close to the royal household added that the pressure is all on Kate and Prince William as they return to their public engagements after lockdown.

‘[But] if anything, she is relishing the role more than ever. And she will do it all to the best of her ability,’ a close source told the publication.

Ready for lessons! Crown Princess Estelle smiles for a back-to-school photo taken by her mother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden ahead of the first day of a new term in 2019

Ready for lessons! Crown Princess Estelle smiles for a back-to-school photo taken by her mother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden ahead of the first day of a new term in 2019

Ms Tominey suggested that Kate's control of royal images by offering candid looks behind the palace gates was inspired by how Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden (pictured with her family in July 2019), manages the media with regard to photography of her children

Ms Tominey suggested that Kate’s control of royal images by offering candid looks behind the palace gates was inspired by how Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden (pictured with her family in July 2019), manages the media with regard to photography of her children 

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