I think they're just doing this to try and look trendy.  Its all about PR.  They've worked hard to fool the public into liking them again.  I bet they will of had lots of professional photos taken, as this could be a future king, if the revolution doesn't happen
Perhaps they've used Mario Testino again?  He did one formal and one snapshot for the engagement photos.  This seems to be taking it to the next level of informality.  They can get any photographer they want and keep the photos private or release them at a later date.

Its a bit like the staycation.  The political leaders pretend they're going on holiday in England, then privately jet off later to somewhere more exotic.  It must fool some people, or they wouldn't bother doing it.

The political leaders pretend they're going on holiday in England, then privately jet off later to somewhere more exotic.
Can we have a link to this please? Despite the fact that it's widely reported in UK papers where political leaders holiday, both in the UK and abroad, you believe they pretend to holiday here, then sneak out of the country, with no one seeing them and being aware of where they have gone?

They aren't going to get a relaxing holiday in the UK, I think they do it for the PR.  It never looks right.  Then they have a proper holiday somewhere hotter.  I just don't see the point in it.  And I didn't say they sneak out of the country, with no one seeing them.  They're bound to be seen on their proper holiday, making the one in the UK look even more like a PR stunt.
David Cameron has only had 4 holidays so far this year. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/david-cameron-in-beach-mode-as-he-and-samantha-enjoy-fourth-holiday-of-the-year-8776138.html

in this case quality is totally irrelevant

Quote from: Silken Photography on August 20, 2013, 22:42

On the down side, "If it's good enough for the royal family..." - why pay for a pro?

oh my goddd ... if even the royal family can't pay for photographers, WHO WILL ?? 

+1, but let's hope there's an official shoot released at some point.

Quote from: gillian on August 21, 2013, 18:29

+1, but let's hope there's an official shoot released at some point.

it's a worrying sign, and i see less and less people able to judge a good photo from an ugly snapshot, for them they're all "good enough".

Hasn't that always been the case? Before I decided to shoot for micro and editorial I thought I was a decent photographer. Now I realise I'm just mediocre.....but technically proficient. 

we're indeed mediocre, i've seen amazing stuff done by famous illustrators all using photos, brushes, textures, Archicad and Photoshop, just .. wow .. F ing brilliant, that's ART 100%, and the techniques they use are quite complex, not suitable for the average random stocker.