17-YEAR-old Lewis, Langstaff-Wood, a farmer’s son from Witton-le-Wear is edging nearer to his career ambition of becoming a famous Royal Photographer.
At the weekend, he and his mother, Laura, travelled to London for two full days of working both in the capital and in Windsor. Lewis is known in the Royal circles, regularly receiving letters hand-signed by Queen Camilla and has now achieved a status within the Royal Press offices, being granted a Royal Press Pass to access a place on the Queen Victoria Memorial! Here, Lewis recounts the experience in his own words……
‘Trooping the Colour 2026 is now over and done with, always a relief for me as a photographer as events in central London can be incredibly stressful – I far prefer Scotland (not long to wait now).
This year was particularly significant for me as I managed to tick off one of my bucket-list experiences as a photographer – covering Trooping from the Queen Victoria Memorial, the prime spot for the Buckingham Palace balcony. I was absolutely over the moon.
We arrived on Friday evening so I could be ready for accreditation on Saturday morning, greeted by the wonderful John Loughrey and Maria Scott, who we’re so grateful to for allowing us to stay with them. I only managed about 15 minutes of sleep before being up again at 3am to ensure our crew secured their desired spot on The Mall. Suited and booted, we headed out.
Lewis with Bartly, a superfan from Willington, who was being interviewed by GB News
With parts of the Underground closed, we caught a bus to Green Park and arrived on The Mall at around 4:50am. It was lovely to catch up with Sheila Clark, who arrived just a few minutes before us and thankfully eventually secured the spot she wanted on the other side of The Mall. I enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere before checking into QVM. It was also great to finally meet Natasha De Kock Combrink and her husband Ian, who had travelled all the way from South Africa to be there. Thank you both so much for the little hamper – of course I had to choose the Queen Camilla one.
People were watching the sunrise from QVM, while one man even decided to have a swim in the water around it. The police weren’t particularly impressed. Bartly Graham, originally from Willington, then appeared dressed as Anita Atkinson. I somehow managed to get trapped in the background of a GB News interview, but at least we got a free flag out of it. One of the GB News lads turned out to be from the North East – in fact, I’d previously worked alongside him at the Sunderland Council count last month.
At around half past seven, I headed off to collect my wristband and enter the media area behind Canada Gate. It was already quite full when I arrived. There was nobody there I personally knew, but plenty of familiar faces. The area closed at 8am and after our bags were checked, we were escorted to QVM.
Once there, I plonked myself right at the bottom. Everyone else had rushed up top to claim tripod positions, but I wasn’t too bothered. I had a rented monopod and a 600mm lens, so I figured I’d be absolutely fine. It was great to finally meet my pal Joshua Brandwood, who I’ve been friends with online for several years. It’s always nice having someone to chat to in the press area.
Lewis’ mother, Laura (left) in the crowd.
From QVM I managed to grab some stock images and catch up with various others too. At 10am the first bands departed Wellington Barracks. From then on it was a flood of Foot Guards and military bands. At 10:10am came a stream of royal arrivals at Buckingham Palace. First, The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence travelled down The Mall. Then came The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children along Constitution Hill from Kensington Palace, followed by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Finally, at half past ten, The King and Queen left Clarence House and turned onto The Mall.
After this, I secured my place on the front barrier ready for the departures to Horse Guards Parade. At 10:42am, The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sir Tim Laurence, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester departed the Palace. Three minutes later Their Majesties, HM The King and HM Queen Camilla followed in an Ascot Landau.
King Charles III, Colonel-in-Chief, wore the uniform of the Grenadier Guards – the regiment trooping the colour this year – while Queen Camilla rode beside him as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards (I predicted she’d wear this). They were followed by three royal colonels on horseback: The Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards; The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of the Scots Guards; and The Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals.
In a Landau behind travelled The Princess of Wales, Colonel of the Irish Guards, with her three children. After they passed, I hurried around QVM to catch them from another angle. Thankfully my back behaved itself. While the King’s Birthday Parade took place on Horse Guards Parade, I got on with some editing and wandered around QVM.
Later, I positioned myself for the return procession.
The royal carriages carrying The Duchess of Edinburgh and others returned at around ten past twelve, with some spectators having to dash across The Mall before they were caught out. The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry slowly approached to the tune of Arnhem, followed by The King and Queen behind the Sovereign’s Escort and the massed bands of the Household Division. As the powerful tune of Wadi el Batin echoed down The Mall and Their Majesties approached closer, I felt a lump in my throat.
There is something incredibly imposing about seeing that procession advance down Britain’s most famous ceremonial route. Nevertheless, there was a job to do. I then ran back around to photograph The King saluting the troops from the saluting base. I struggled here, with the mounted bands lined directly in front of us and the top of QVM packed solid. In hindsight, I really should have carried my stool to the top, but there’s little point complaining about it now.
From the balcony, various members of the Royal Family looked on, notably the 90-year-old Duke of Kent, first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and Colonel of the Scots Guards for 49 years. The King and the Royal party then returned to Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, spectators were gradually moved by the Metropolitan Police from Horse Guards, followed by the crowds at the top of The Mall.
A minute before 1pm, The King and Queen stepped onto the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside members of the Royal Family. They were met with huge cheers and, unfortunately, the haunting echo of Graham Smith’s megaphone. Chants of “Not My King” and “Down with The Crown” briefly threatened to overpower the cheers from the crowd, and The King appeared visibly upset. Once the crowd opposite began responding with chants of “Hip hip hooray” and “God Save The King”, however, it was game over for the republicans.
The King responded with a smile and a wave. I teared up slightly, once again overcome by the emotion of the occasion. The flypast roared overhead and I kept shooting, only occasionally glancing away from the viewfinder. The Red Arrows brought proceedings to a close and The King looked ready to leave the balcony until Prince William appeared to stop him. He seemed to have momentarily forgotten the National Anthem. And just like that, it was over.
I stayed on QVM for at least another half hour editing photographs and later caught sight of The King and Queen returning to Clarence House. Eventually I was escorted off QVM, unfortunately miles from where I wanted to be. By that point I was tired, hot, carrying a heavy load, and becoming increasingly irritated by the crowds. Back at our usual area I was delighted to see Laura Sommer as always, along with Kayden Bukowski, who had been on the parade ground. While we were chatting, a lady appeared carrying a huge portrait of The King which she hoped to present to His Majesty. It was outstanding, alongside her dress.
By then I was absolutely exhausted. I fell asleep in Spud Bros and then again on the bus.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make it such a memorable day. It was wonderful seeing old friends and making new ones. I was, however, very, very sunburnt. This wasn’t quite the end of an already busy weekend, though.. (more to come with Lewis’ account of Garter Day in Windsor on the Monday – Ed.)
