SNAPPY & GLORIOUS
Queen's photos found in attic

Photo fan ... Her Maj on the other side of the camera; Di, Fergie and Andrew at Windsor and Margaret with Queen Mum

By ARTHUR EDWARDS

Royal Photographer

THESE photos give a marvellous insight into the off-duty life of the Royals.

I've snapped the family thousands of times, but some of these give me great enjoyment. The only sad note for me is the picture of Prince William as a young child with Sarah Ferguson.

They were so close, she loves William so much - it surprised me that she won't be going to his wedding.

It's a real sign of the times that the Queen let these snaps be published. Once it wouldn't have been discussed, but Her Majesty now recognises they are beautiful pictures that she wants to share with Sun readers.

THE Queen stirs tea in a plastic picnic cup, Prince Philip gazes wistfully over fields - and a carefree Fergie grins beside Diana and ex Andrew at a Windsor Castle bash.

These candid images are among a unique treasure trove of informal royal snaps found in an ATTIC by an astonished Sun reader.
We handed over his 40 photos to the grateful Queen - and in return she gave us permission to publish these seven never-before-seen images.
Many of the intimate pictures, which date back over a 40-year period, capture family members relaxing at Balmoral and Windsor.
Others in the collection show Philip with youngest son Edward, a glamorous, pink-clad Princess Margaret - also shown attending a banquet with the Queen Mother - and Fergie with an infant Prince William on a pony at Windsor stables.

Royal tea ... Queen relaxes with a cuppa during picnic on grouse moors

The reader who found the images does not wish to be named. He discovered them at the home of a deceased relative who worked at a photo lab which handled the Royals' snaps.

Print-cess Margaret ... Queen's sis in photo found in attic

He said: "We think the relative used to take an extra set of prints home as a matter of course to study them for quality control purposes.

Philm star ... Prince shows movie-idol looks in candid snap

"We are delighted that the Queen and other royals are glad to have them back and hopefully they will revive many happy memories."

Duke of Earl Grey ... Philip enjoys a brew beside Edward

A senior Buckingham Palace spokeswoman told The Sun: "The Queen was interested to see the photographs handed in by The Sun and had no objection to them being published in the newspaper."

So close ... Fergie with young William