Royal Photographer Anwar Hussein Dies at 85: 'His Career Took Him Beyond His Wildest Dreams,' Family Says (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Zak Hussein, Anwar Hussein and Samir Hussein at the “Princess Diana: Accredited Access” exhibit in London on May 23, 2024.Photo:Tristan Fewings/Getty

Tristan Fewings/Getty

Anwar Hussein, a pioneering photographer renowned for his iconic images of the British royal family, has died at age 85. His family shares with PEOPLE the profound legacy he leaves behind.

“Our family is completely heartbroken as we come to terms with Anwar’s passing,” the Hussein family said in a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE on Oct. 8. “We are however grateful that he lived a full and amazing life, always on his own terms.”

According toThe Timesin the U.K., Anwar died of cancer on Sept. 23.

Anwar was born in Chunya, Tanganyika, then a British colony and now known as Tanzania, in 1938. He went on to become “the longest-serving photographer on the royal roster, taking photos of the family for more than 50 years” and is credited with helping to create a more informal style of royal photos, according to his obituary inThe Times.

An undated image of Anwar Hussein and his sons at Buckingham Palace in London.courtesy Anwar Hussein

“He came from a background of photographing showbiz people and a more relaxed style,” Samir told the outlet about the impact his father’s work had. “He really wanted to bring that style into photographing the royals… more of a rock’n’roll style. It made them more human and people saw them as more relatable.”

Anwarwas therefor the futureKing Charles' global travels as a bachelor andPrincess Diana’s foray onto the world stage, from the early days of her royal romance to the confident icon she blossomed into before her tragic death in 1997 at age 36.

“She started the interest in the modern royal family,” Anwar previously told PEOPLE about the late Princess of Wales.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on May 6, 1981 in Scotland.Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Anwar Hussein/WireImage

The photographer captured many of Princess Diana’s most enduring moments, from her hands-on manner with those in need to her solo photo at the Taj Mahal in 1992 as her marriage with then-Prince Charles broke down and iconic fashion statements like her “revenge dress” two years later and much more.

“The story of Dianaunfolded in front of us,” Anwar previously told PEOPLE. “You could see her go from Shy Di, looking down, to becoming stronger—which she had to do. She wanted to prove she was brave enough to do what she wanted.”

One hundred and forty of Anwar’s images of the late princess were displayed in the special exhibit,Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition, whichkicked off in three American citiesin 2023 and was shown in London earlier this year.

Anwar Hussein/Getty

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“It really means a lot to all of the family to have our pictures on show in a city that was Diana’s home,” Zak previously told PEOPLE.

source: people.com