Award-winning equine landscape photographer Henry Dallal, renowned for capturing Queen Elizabeth II and her horses over more than two decades, is preparing a new book focused on His Majesty The King’s Royal Mews, while his celebrated royal photography has recently been showcased at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
The exhibition was staged to commemorate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday in April and highlighted the late Monarch’s enduring connection to horses, racing and equestrian culture. Installed throughout the Queen Elizabeth II Stand at Epsom Downs, the display featured a selection of Dallal’s photographs documenting the Queen’s lifelong passion for horses and racing.
A Regal regular at Epsom
For many racegoers and members of the local community, the Queen’s regular appearances at the Derby formed a longstanding and much-valued tradition. Until the Covid-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II had missed Derby Day only twice during her 70-year reign — once in 1956 during a state visit to Sweden and again in 1984 while attending commemorations marking the 40th anniversary of D-Day in France.
The Queen’s Gallery
Although many of the images are permanently housed in the racecourse’s Queen’s Gallery within the Royal Box, the temporary exhibition brought the photographs into public view near the main entrance, allowing racegoers broader access to the collection.
His work frequently combines formal portraiture with candid, behind-the-scenes moments, offering a rare perspective on royal traditions and the relationship between horses and the monarchy
Dallal has become internationally recognised for his distinctive photography of equestrian life, ceremonial pageantry and royal occasions. His work frequently combines formal portraiture with candid, behind-the-scenes moments, offering a rare perspective on royal traditions and the relationship between horses and the monarchy.
Photograph © Henry Dallal
Photographs of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. © Henry Dallal
Henry Dallal
Henry Dallal at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Born in Iran, Dallal traces his passion for photography and horses back to childhood. At the age of nine, he received his first camera — a Box Brownie — from his father, while his mother introduced him to the world of horses. Those early influences would shape both his personal life and professional career.
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Dallal left Iran and later spent time in Colorado before eventually settling in London. Alongside photography, he developed interests in mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, and travel, pursuits which continue to inform his work and global outlook.
Over the past 20 years, Dallal has received royal commissions to photograph Queen Elizabeth II and other world leaders. One of his best-known images — the official portrait taken to mark the Queen’s 96th birthday — was recently acquired by the National Portrait Gallery and is on display.
His exhibitions have appeared internationally at institutions and venues including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, the Musée du Cheval in Chantilly, France, and the Royal Geographical Society in both London and Hong Kong.
The books
Dallal has also produced a wide range of large-format photographic books centred on horses, military pageantry, royal ceremonies and global equestrian culture. His published works include Pageantry and Performance – The Household Cavalry in Celebration of Pictures, Horse Warriors – India’s 61st Cavalry, Desert Pageantry – The Royal Cavalry of Oman, Horse Gunners – King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant.
Many of his books are noted for their high production values, combining large-scale photography with detailed design and luxury print finishes suited to their ceremonial and royal subject matter.
The Royal Mews
His forthcoming publication on The Royal Mews is expected to continue that approach, documenting both the public spectacle and private workings of one of the monarchy’s most historic institutions. The project will reportedly include exclusive behind-the-scenes access, alongside more formal royal portraiture.
Behind the scenes at Trooping the colour. © Henry Dallal
Royal Carriages at Windsor. © Henry Dallal
In addition to his publishing work, Dallal also served as consultant producer on the award winning Horse Power, a documentary project celebrating the role of the horse in culture and history. The production was put together by the makers of such films as Blue Planet 2 is scheduled for release across IMAX, television and Discovery platforms during this year -The Year of the Horse and was just awarded Best Documentary by the GSCA (giant cinema screen association) in the US.
www.henrydallalphotography.com
This article appears in the summer edition of Premier Magazine. You can browse the edition for free HERE
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