Richard Pohle was the only official photographer for the event when he was told he couldn’t snap The Queen being escorted by her son Prince Andrew. Mr Pohle says that he “baulked at the order” and knew that he needed to get the shot as it came to his knowledge that Prince Andrew would escort his mother to the service a few weeks prior.
“To an outsider, this may seem reasonable. ‘What’s the problem?’ you may ask. ‘The Queen should have some privacy in her advanced age,’” he said.
“I agree, but when the BBC is broadcasting the entire event to the world, I think I should be able to take a picture as the only official photographer.
“How would she arrive? There was some speculation that she might arrive using a buggy or even a wheelchair. If I had no picture of that I would have the entire British media asking why not.”
“As the choir started up, I jumped off my footstool and moved quickly to the aisle between the rows of seats opposite where the Queen would walk,” he said.
“Suddenly moving from an official position while on a royal rota is the most cardinal of sins.
“I brushed past the press officer and could feel a hand reach out to try and stop me, but I rushed past and crouched in the centre of the aisle.”
People have weighed in on the controversy with Twitter user @Jack_Royston saying, “Hats off to Richard Pohle for getting the picture of Prince Andrew and the Queen under extreme circumstances”. While @MeghansMole said Mr Pohle “Has been demoted from his position and is now whining about it. Blatantly disrespect”.
The Palace has yet to comment on The Times article.
