A contemporary look at Cecil Beatons portraits of the Royal Family and how they helped create the public face of the House of Windsor. Cecil Beaton The Royal Portraits looks back in time to tell a very modern tale the creation of a public image. Offering a fresh appraisal of Beatons portraits of the British royal family the book explores not only the finished images but also the sittings in which they were created revealing Beatons central role in shaping the public face of the House of Windsor and the ways in which he collaborated with his subjects. Organised chronologically from the 1930s to the 1970s each of the books four chapters comprises an introductory essay plates with extended captions and one or two indepth analyses of a particular sitting. Throughout a variety of contextual material sheets test shots outtakes sketches letters journals tearsheets helps build a detailed picture of Beatons working methods the relationships he developed with his sitters and how the eventual portraits were received. Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museums unparalleled collection of Beatons photographs Cecil Beaton The Royal Portraits will appeal not only to those interested in the photographer and his work but also to anyone for whom the distinction between the private world and the public face of the royal family remains a source of fascination.