'I shouted out, Who likes Smarties?': Mario Testino's protégé reveals magic word he used to get Meghan and Harry's bridesmaids and page boys to pose for wedding snaps (and even the adults put their hands up!)
- Intimate shots are part of Harry and Meghan's ongoing royal revolution launched from Windsor on Saturday
- Newlyweds shown in a romantic pose on East Terrace of Windsor Castle basking in excitement of wedding
- Harry and Meghan shown with senior royals including the Queen, Prince Philip, Charles and mother Doria
- Final image shows couple's cheeky and smiling page boys and bridesmaids including Charlotte and George
- Lubomirski, 42, also revealed he used Prince William as a replacement for Meghan's lack of family present
- Mario Testino's protege Alexi Lubomirski was official wedding photographer and he is also a prince himself
The star photographer who took Harry and Meghan's official wedding photographs today revealed the magic trick that helped get the couple's young bridesmaids and page boys to behave as he took the iconic shots.
Alexi Lubomirski, 42, shouted 'Who like Smarties?' to get Prince George, Princess Charlotte and eight other youngsters to pay attention.
Mr Lubomirski, who is a Polish prince, is the protege of photographer Mario Testino who was famously beloved by Harry's mother Princess Diana.
Speaking today, he said he used the sweets as a ploy after hearing they were a favourite of the young wedding party.
He said: 'As we were setting up the big family shots, and I was placing The Duke of Edinburgh and Her Majesty onto their chairs, I could hear the kids started crying in the background and there was some chaos.
'And then I heard this magic word behind me that was Smarties, which is obviously an English Candy, much like M&Ms, and they were being bribed with one smartie here and one smartie there, so as soon as the kids came onto the set, I immediately just shouted out 'Who likes Smarties?', and then everybody hands up, smiles, even some of the adults I think put their hands up, and so that was our magic word of the day, so thank you smarties.'
He also revealed photographing the Queen at Windsor Castle was 'one to knock off the bucket list and he had just three minutes to shoot Harry and Meghan alone after the ceremony.
In this extraordinary image with their six bridesmaids and four page boys George, third from the right is grinning cheekily as is Charlotte, second left on the floor. Here the Duke and Duchess were pictured in Green Drawing Room, Windsor Castle with (left-to-right): Back row: Brian Mulroney, Remi Litt, Rylan Litt, Jasper Dyer, Prince George, Ivy Mulroney, John Mulroney Front row: Zalie Warren, Princess Charlotte and Florence van Cutsem
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were shown in love and entwined on Windsor Castle's East Terrace shortly after they married - but the photographer said he had only three minutes to shoot it and the couple were 'exhausted'
Mr Lubomirski, 42, (left today) whose own wife Giada looks very much like Meghan (pictured together at Windsor Castle on Saturday) called the star's relationship with Prince Harry a 'wonderful love story'
The Duke and Duchess are pictured in The Green Drawing Room, Windsor Castle, with (left-to-right): Back row: Master Jasper Dyer, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, mother of the bride Doria Ragland, The Duke of Cambridge Middle row: Brian Mulroney, The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty The Queen, The Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Rylan Litt and John Mulroney Front row: Ivy Mulroney, Florence van Cutsem, Zalie Warren and Remi Litt
The Royal wedding photographer also said he did some rearranging to compensate for Meghan's father Thomas not being there.
He stood her mother Doria in the spot usually occupied by the father of the bride, with Prince William stepping in next to her to make up for Mr Markle's absence.
Mr Lubomirski said: 'We went out there and had about three and a half minutes to take some quick shots because everything was running like clockwork.
'It was just one of those magical moments when you're a photographer and everything falls into place. I said 'just before you go in, sit on those stairs'.
'And she just slumped between his legs and there was this moment where they were just laughing because they were exhausted and thinking finally it's all over. It was one of these beautiful moments'.
The three extraordinary official photographs released by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been called the most bold and intimate royal wedding portraits ever seen.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who wed on Saturday during a moving multi-cultural ceremony that reflected the diversity of modern Britain, said they feel 'so lucky' to have shared their big day with 120,000 people in Windsor and millions watching around the world.
The most striking image shows Meghan sitting between Harry's legs on the East Terrace of Windsor Castle as the prince looks smiling at the camera while his new bride laughs at someone to their left.
Even the formal family wedding shot featuring the Queen has an informal feel and the bride's mother Doria Ragland, 62, stands proudly next to her daughter looking firmly part of the royal family 'firm'.
The final image shows Prince George and Princess Charlotte grinning cheekily with the other bridesmaids and page boys with Harry and Meghan both wearing wide and clearly joyful smiles.
Describing how he did it Mr Lubomirski told the BBC: 'I didn't want it to feel like a sports team photo or an army photo, regimented and linear.
'So he talked about how we could break it and get some rhythm and asymmetry into it and it all came down to very little tiny things - nothing crazy.
'In terms of how were were placing people - we wanted some people sitting, some people standing, kids on parents laps and that was a huge thing to get that realness out of it'.
Meghan and Harry's choice of official images can be seen as yet another stage of their royal revolution because they contrast with royal portraits of the past.
The images were taken by Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle following the carriage procession.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations of their wedding on Saturday.
'They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in Windsor and also all those who watched the wedding on television across the UK, Commonwealth, and around the world.
'Their Royal Highnesses are delighted with these official portraits taken by Alexi Lubomirski and are happy to be able to share them.
'They would also like to say thank you for all of the generous messages of support they have received.'
Mr Lubomirski said: 'It has been an incredible honour and privilege to document The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's inspiring journey of love, hope and family; from the engagement photos, all the way through to the official wedding and family portraits on Saturday.
'This has been a beautiful chapter in my career and life, that I will happily never forget.'
And their US-influenced and multi-cultural wedding ceremony with gospel choir and fiery Chicago preacher's sermon was something conservative royals had never experienced before.
Mr Lubomirski, 42, was chosen after he photographed the now-newlyweds on their engagement in a series of stark images released in December.
The pictures taken at Frogmore House in Windsor included one intimate black and white portrait of the couple embracing.
This is where the couple held their evening reception on Saturday night.
Body language expert Judi James said at the time that the couple look 'so in love' in the three new official royal portraits viewers felt like they were 'intruding' on a private moment.
Meghan has been hailed for her part in the most diverse royal wedding ever.
In a candid biography published on the Queen's official website, Meghan highlights a speech she gave at the 2015 UN Women Conference, in which she forcefully stated her guiding principles.
The profile recalls how volunteering in a soup kitchen in LA's Skid Row, and campaigning against a 'sexist' washing up liquid advert, helped shape her 'lifelong commitment' to 'social justice and women's empowerment'.
The new page on Buckingham Palace's online guide to the royals lists the duchess's interests, saying she has a 'keen awareness of social issues'.
Last night a source told the Mail that while Meghan was keen to make an 'impact', she would not rush into anything, and was very conscious of what 'it means to be a royal'.
The public statement of her values comes after she insisted on walking halfway down the aisle alone, and refused to be 'given away'.
A body language expert said 'It is great to see the Queen and Philip grinning. She didn't smile much during the service, and she doesn't smile in church but you can see the delight on her face' and called Philip 'dashing'
The body language expert also commented that William 'is towering above everyone else and is very dominant' and that Meghan and her mother make a strong double act, torso turned in to each other
The newlyweds leave Windsor Castle after the royal wedding on their way to the reception at Frogmore House, where they had their engagement shoot last year
Harry and Meghan waved as they drove to Frogmore House in a converted electric car for their glittering reception
Meghan Markle and Harry have been praised for their modernising wedding ceremony and passionate kiss of the steps of St Geoerge's Chapel
A sea of smiling faces greets Harry and Meghan as they leave the church after the American-influenced service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Harry looked very emotional at points in the service and several others in the congregation were in tears on their happy day
As details of her new role were revealed, it emerged that:
After a tumultuous build-up to the wedding, a tearful Prince Harry praised his wife for having 'navigated everything with such grace', adding: 'We make such a great team';
Meghan made a speech at their private reception, referring to Harry 'my husband', which made him blush, and thanking Prince Charles for his welcome to the family.
Her wedding dress designer, Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller, revealed that even the women working on the garment were kept in the dark about who it was for;
Hairdresser Serge Normant revealed it took him just 45 minutes to create Meghan's 'messy bun' using a packet of hair pins that cost only a couple of pounds;
The couple's first dance was to Land of a Thousand Dances by Wilson Pickett and a 'worse-for-wear' George Clooney was among the last to stagger off the dance floor;
The newlyweds spent last night at a mystery romantic bolt-hole, with the Queen apparently looking after Meghan's pet beagle Guy while they are away.
Mr Lubomirski's bold use of black and white and British winter light won him more plaudits
Some royal watchers said the public may have felt they were intruding on a private moment because the engagement shots were so personal
Yesterday the Duchess of Sussex's name was already on the Court Circular, the royal family's record of engagements. Tomorrow she will attend her first official engagement as a royal, at a Buckingham Palace garden party to mark Charles's 70th birthday.
Meghan has, sources say, already become a strong influence on the direction of Harry's public work, particularly his championing of women's issues.
The couple plan to become 'Commonwealth champions', to the delight of the Queen. A trip to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October is being discussed at the highest level and aides are promising that the second half of this year will be 'incredibly busy' for the pair.
They will also take a couple of short trips before the summer, including a visit to Dublin. Harry, 33, is yet to visit Ireland but Meghan, 36, spent time there as an ambassador for the One Young World summit in 2014.
But it is the visit to Australia, where Harry's Invictus Games for injured servicemen and women is being held in Sydney, that is expected to showcase the duke and duchess as a new royal 'power couple' Yesterday, a senior aide said everyone, not least the bride and groom, had been deeply moved by how well Saturday's wedding went. 'I think that although the day was unquestionably royal in every way it felt like just the two of them were there,' said another. 'When they looked into each other's eyes it was clear nothing else mattered.' Saturday evening's riotous party was described as the 'perfect end to a perfect day'. Meghan gave a speech in which she grinned broadly as she referred to Harry as 'my husband'. 'I think he was even more emotional than her,' a source said.
'Meghan also expressed her gratitude to her mother and to her friends but the person she really singled out was the Prince of Wales. She has been so touched by how welcoming he has been to her and her mother.' The couple spent their first night of married life in Windsor Castle's Lancaster Tower, before enjoying a night at a mystery location. But they will return to work this week, having postponed their honeymoon.
Mr Lubomirski, pictured with his wife Giada, is himself a prince who was born in England but now lives in New York with his family
Revealed: How the royal wedding photographer balanced the official portraits to make up for Meghan's lack of family - and Prince William stood in for Thomas Markle
Her father Thomas Markle pulled out of the royal wedding with just days to go, while other relatives ruined all chances of an invite by criticising Meghan in the media.
But royal wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski was careful to arrange the group photos so as not to draw attention to Meghan's lack of relatives, royal biographer Duncan Larcombe has told Harper's Bazaar.
Usually their family members will line up on either side of the bride and groom for royal portraits, but Meghan only had her mother Doria Ragland in attendance.
'Meghan's mum is seen standing next to her daughter and beaming with pride after a wedding that ripped up the rule book,' he explained.
While Doria stood in the spot usually occupied by the bride's father, William stepped in on Meghan's side so that it didn't look empty in the absence of her father Thomas Markle.
The Duchess of Cambridge also sat on Meghan's 'side' to provide balance.
By contrast in Kate and William's wedding photos, the royals lined up to one side of William and the Middletons alongside Kate.
In the official royal wedding photos, Alexi Lubomirski placed Kate and William to Meghan's right so her lack of family would not be obvious
Thomas Markle withdrew from the royal wedding amid reports he needed heart surgery and was also stung by a paparazzi scandal
The formal family wedding shot featuring the Queen has an informal feel and the bride's mother Doria Ragland, 62, stands proudly next to her daughter looking firmly part of the royal family 'firm'.
Describing how he did it Mr Lubomirski told the BBC: 'I didn't want it to feel like a sports team photo or an army photo, regimented and linear.
'So he talked about how we could break it and get some rhythm and asymmetry into it and it all came down to very little tiny things - nothing crazy.
'In terms of how were were placing people - we wanted some people sitting, some people standing, kids on parents laps and that was a huge thing to get that realness out of it'.
Meghan's father Thomas became embroiled in drama in the week leading up to the wedding when it emerged that he had secretly collaborated with Los Angeles-based photographer, Jeff Rayner, 44, to stage 'candid' pictures of him looking at Meghan's photo on the internet.
Markle Sr had initially hoped to make the royal wedding, which took place on Saturday morning, but made the decision to stay home shortly after suffering a heart attack two weeks ago.
The 73-year-old said at that time that he did not want to cause his daughter any further embarrassment.
Last week, he was admitted to the hospital for an operation to insert three stents – and as a result, he's likely to have to take blood-thinning medication for the rest of his life.
Meghan walked part way down the aisle on her own at St George's Chapel on Saturday, before being met by Prince Charles who walked her the rest of the way to Harry.
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