The most powerful photos of the royal family from 2022, according to royal photographers

This photo of Queen Elizabeth II at the Reddendo Parade in June took on new meaning for Shutterstock royal photographer Tim Rooke after her death.

Rooke didn't know that the Reddendo Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse would be the last time he photographed Queen Elizabeth, but found this photo of Her Majesty "working right up until the end and still smiling" to be a fitting tribute.

"Being up close with the Queen never got old," he said.

He added: "I loved to show her genuine personality in my photographs, and this image makes me think fondly of that."

Rooke photographed the "grief-stricken faces" of Princess Beatrice and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, as they looked through flowers left in the Queen's memory outside Balmoral Castle.

Queen Elizabeth spent her final days at Balmoral Castle in Scotland before her death at the age of 96.

"I have worked with the countess for many years and have watched her close relationship with Queen Elizabeth flourish," Rooke said. "In this moment, as she was observing the flowers, I could see on her face she was just completely devastated. It brought everything into perspective for me. It is important to remember that whilst she was our sovereign, she was also a mother, grandmother, and friend to many."

Rooke called the Queen's funeral "one of the most powerful moments in my lifetime."

Rooke said photographers were not allowed to pick up their cameras until the doors of Westminster Abbey opened, leaving him about 15 seconds to capture the moment the Queen's coffin entered the sanctuary for the funeral service.

"The processions and emotional moments taking place on that day were truly breathtaking," he said.

Meanwhile, Getty Images royal photographer Samir Hussein took this photo of a rainbow over Buckingham Palace moments before news of the Queen's death was announced.

"Just before the flag was lowered at Buckingham Palace announcing the death of the Queen, I captured this amazing rainbow appearing in the sky. Such incredible timing and a moment I felt very lucky to have witnessed," Hussein told Insider.

Hussein also captured the moment Prince George, Camilla, Queen Consort, and the Princess of Wales departed the Queen's funeral.

"The sorrow on their faces says it all," Hussein said.

Hussein said this photo showed the "great dignity and grief" of Charles and William as they walked behind the Queen's coffin.

Hussein said this photo of Charles and William walking behind the Queen's coffin as it was taken to Westminster Hall on September 14 is one of his favorites from 2022.

"This photo shows much of the great dignity and grief of Charles and William as they walk together," Hussein said.