Born Antony Armstrong Jones, March 7 1930, educated at Eton, Lord Snowdon began his career in 1952 as a society photographer for Tatler.

He went on to make his name in portraiture; Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Rudolf Nureyev and Elizabeth Taylor among the 20th century icons he captured on film.

In 1960 he married Princess Margaret and although they later divorced, Snowdon remains close to the Royal Family. He is the only photographer to have had sittings with The Queen throughout her long reign: From the young Queen and mother, through to the Diamond wedding anniversary and her 80th birthday, all have been captured on film by Snowdon.

He took the first official photographs of the young Princess Diana on the announcement of her engagement to Prince Charles, and over the years his classic portraits captured her transformation from shy fiancee to the chic fashion icon of her final sittings.

His images have been exhibited around the world, including the National Portrait Gallery in London.

His most recent photographic book, Snowdon’s India, was published in 2009.

Snowdon's royal photographs in our Archive