Godfrey Argent

Godfrey Argent
Godfrey Argent, self-portrait, 1972
Born	Bernard Godfrey Argent 6 February 1937 Eastbourne, Sussex, England
Died	1 June 2006(2006-06-01) (aged 69) Kensington, London
Nationality	British
Occupation	Photographer

Bernard Godfrey Argent (6 February 1937 – 1 June 2006) was an English photographer notable for his black and white portraits of royalty, politicians, aristocrats and celebrities.

Argent was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, the son of motor engineer Godfrey Stanley Albert Argent, and his wife, Helena (née Smith). He had two sisters. He was educated at Bexhill Grammar School, and then briefly entered the police constabulary, where he first learned photography.

In 1954, Argent joined the Royal Horse Guards, Household Cavalry, serving with the Life Guards for nine years. In 1960, he became an Associate Member of the Royal Photographic Society and won the British Army Photographic Competition.

He photographed Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer, who encouraged him to pursue photography instead of staying in the military. Argent later recalled being told by Templer, "Don't get to my age and then regret what you might have been." Templer recommended Argent to Sir John Miller, the Crown Equerry, who hired him to photograph the Royal Mews for a guidebook.

Argent was commissioned to take the photographs for Judith Campbell's book The Queen Rides, published in 1965, which featured the Queen with her horses at Windsor Castle, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle. He served as royal photographer until 1974, given unparalleled access to the Queen and her family. Among his notable portraits include Prince Charles for the postage stamp marking his investiture as the prince of Wales in 1968, and the group portraits for the royal family's Christmas cards from 1966–74.

His most extraordinary royal portrait was probably his 1967 photo session with Princess Alice of Battenberg, mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who had fallen ill. Worried she may not survive, the Queen sent Argent to the King Edward VII Hospital to photograph Princess Alice, who was usually dressed as a nun in her later years, but was in her hospital gown. They were the final portraits taken of Princess Alice.