Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent months, but long before controversy reshaped his public role, he was once exploring a very different creative path.
Back in the 1990s, the former Duke of York developed a keen interest in photography, something close to him at the time described as more than just a passing hobby.
Professional photographer Gene Nocon, who worked with him as a technical assistant, said Andrew took the craft seriously.
Encouraged by a small circle, he went on to publish a book in 1995 with the title Photographs: Andrew, Prince Duke of York.
Framed as a personal project rather than a royal one, the collection was presented as a visual diary.
Andrew described it as “a small slice of autobiography”, stressing that it reflected his perspective as an amateur photographer rather than as a member of the royal family.
The book contained a mix of subjects, from informal family scenes to portraits, including members of the Royal Family and actress Finola Hughes.
Among the most talked about photos were candid photos of a young Prince Harry, taken during a royal tour aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, including one of him with a bucket and spade, and another on a swing.
Critics at the time were vocal, with some questioning both the composition and execution of certain images.
Photography experts weighed in and pointed out technical flaws, while reviewers in major publications offered blunt assessments.
However, Andrew defended the work saying that the intention behind the images had been misunderstood and that he never set out to create highly stylized or formal portraits.
The photography venture eventually took off and became one of several interests he explored over the years.
