Patrick Lichfield: The best of

I drank too much – we all did – smoked the odd joint and saw the world on the arm of a pretty girl at someone else’s expense.” When recalling the Swinging Sixties, Patrick Lichfield was refreshingly honest – especially for a first cousin of the Queen (albeit once removed).

But Lord Lichfield was not your average aristocrat. Sure, he’d be present at official and royal events, but he would be the one behind the camera. Indeed, he was even the official photographer at Charles and Diana’s wedding. Yet we suspect he perhaps had more fun in the role at Mick and Bianca Jagger’s wedding – where he also doubled up as best man. The rock’n’roll lifestyle suited Lichfield far better than that of the landed gentry.

This love of glamour – and glamorous women – shines through in his prolific portfolio of work. From from 3 November - 12 December 2015, the Little Black Gallery is exhibiting highlights from his exceptional career – including a number of his lesser-known nude photographs.

He once said: “My career meant I was surrounded by better than average looking women and many became my girlfriends – but it was just as exciting for me as a photographer to be able to make a lasting image of them.” I guess we’ll just have to take his word for it. 

Patrick Lichfield: The best of is at The Little Black Gallery from 3 November-12 December. For more info, visit thelittleblackgallery.com