Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent months, but long before controversies altered his public role, he explored a very different creative path.
In the 1990s, the former Duke of York developed a keen interest in photography, which those close to him at the time described as more than just a hobby.
Professional photographer Gene Nocon, who worked with him as a technical assistant, said Andrew approached the craft seriously.
Encouraged by a small circle, in 1995 he published a book entitled Photographs: Andrew, Prince Duke of York.
Presented as a personal rather than royal project, the collection was presented as a visual diary.
Andrew described it as “a little slice of autobiography”, noting that it reflected his perspective as an amateur photographer rather than that of a member of the royal family.
The book featured a mixture of subjects, from informal family scenes to portraits, including members of the royal family and the actress Finola Hughes.
Among the most talked about images were candid photos of a young Prince Harry, taken during a royal visit aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, including one with a bucket and spade, and another on a swing.
Critics of the time were vocal, with some questioning both the composition and execution of certain images.
Photography experts weighed in, pointing out technical flaws, while reviewers from major publications offered blunt assessments.
Andrew, however, defended his work by claiming that the intention behind the images had been misunderstood and that he never set out to create highly stylized or formal portraits.
The photographic adventure eventually faded away, becoming one of many interests he explored over the years.
