Misan Harriman: Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s friendship with Lilibet’s photographer
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's daughter Lilibet was snapped by a friend, Misan Harriman, who assisted the duke and duchess in finding each other on her first birthday. Harriman captured the one-year-old as she celebrated with friends and family at Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan's home in the United Kingdom. It's the most classic birthday photo since she left royal duties in 2020, and it features her with a full head of red hair, much like her father.
Angelina Jolie, Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Giorgio Armani, Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, and Olivia Colman have all worked with Harriman, who is renowned for capturing the Black Lives Matter movements. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first collaborated with Harriman while Meghan was pregnant with Lilibet, using his photographs to announce their pregnancy.
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Harriman wrote on Twitter at the time: "Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow. Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!"
It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around ❤️🎂🎉 pic.twitter.com/bg3RY6MOEu
— Misan Harriman (@misanharriman) June 6, 2022
He additionally gave a Vogue interview in which he explained the significance of the image and disclosed that he had a key part in Harry and Meghan's relationship. According to Harriman, who spoke to the magazine, "Meg reminded me that had I not introduced her to a mutual friend then she wouldn't have met Harry. I'm grateful for whatever small part I played."
It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around ❤️🎂🎉 pic.twitter.com/bg3RY6MOEu
— Misan Harriman (@misanharriman) June 6, 2022
He went on to say something about the pregnancy photo itself: "With the tree of life behind them and the garden representing fertility, life and moving forward, they didn't need any direction, because they are, and always have been, waltzing through life together as absolute soulmates." The identity of the acquaintance was never revealed, but Harry and Meghan were not the first royals he photographed.
Harriman photographed Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2019 to commemorate their engagement, and according to Vanity Fair, he said: "The shoot was incredibly intimate. I came by myself without any assistants or extra camera equipment."
"You can't be nervous when the subjects are so comfortable. I call my lens the truth seeker, and that is exactly what was captured, two people who have found their safe harbor in each other," Harriman said.
As one of the most notable photographers of the Black Lives Matter movement, Harriman is also known for his celebrity portraits. According to his website: "Photographer, entrepreneur and social activist Misan Harriman is one of the most widely-shared photographers of the Black Lives Matter movement. He is also the first black person in the 104 year history of British Vogue to shoot the cover of its September issue."