A Decade with The Royal Lancers: Rory Lewis Captures the Heritage of Queen Elizabeth’s Own
Capturing History and Tradition: Rory Lewis Photographs The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own) Military Portrait Photographer – UK, USA, Europe | 2024-2025
2025 marks a decade since the formation of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own)—a proud union of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and The Queen’s Royal Lancers. Formed on May 2nd, 2015 as part of the British Army’s restructuring under Army 2020, the regiment inherited generations of tradition, duty, and distinction. Over the past ten years, The Royal Lancers have continued to serve King and country with unwavering professionalism and honor.
It has been my profound privilege to photograph this esteemed regiment on three separate occasions, beginning in 2016, again in 2022, and most recently in 2024. Each visit has deepened my appreciation for the regiment’s enduring legacy and its remarkable personnel—from the Colonel of the Regiment to young troopers just beginning their journey in uniform.
A Visual Chronicle of Tradition and Service
Capturing History and Tradition: Rory Lewis Photographs The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own) Military Portrait Photographer – UK, USA, Europe | 2024-2025
My aim has always been to do more than simply document. Through portraiture, I strive to preserve history—to capture the essence of service, tradition, and identity in a single frame. Inspired by the visual storytelling of Holbein, Caravaggio, and Sir Thomas Lawrence, I approached each session with a deep sense of artistic and historical responsibility.
In my most recent sitting with The Royal Lancers, I created a series of evocative table scenes, carefully styled to reflect the dignity and cohesion of regimental life. Working with Profoto A2 lights, softboxes, and classic Manfrotto backdrops, I sculpted light and shadow to highlight both individuality and collective purpose—two qualities at the heart of military service.
What strikes me each time I work with soldiers is the clarity of their presence. Directing them is effortless. There’s a solemnity, a focus, and an honesty that radiates from every pose. These are portraits not of performance, but of conviction, loyalty, and pride.
Capturing History and Tradition: Rory Lewis Photographs The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own) Military Portrait Photographer – UK, USA, Europe | 2024-2025
A Legacy Worth Preserving
The Royal Lancers’ 10th anniversary is more than a ceremonial milestone—it’s a moment to reflect on the resilience and transformation of modern regimental identity. Having had the privilege to witness their evolution through my lens, I see not only the continuity of tradition, but the adaptability and humanity behind the uniform.
Capturing History and Tradition: Rory Lewis Photographs The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own) Military Portrait Photographer – UK, USA, Europe | 2024-2025
These portraits now form part of the growing archive of Heroes in Focus—a foundation I established to preserve and share the stories of military personnel through photography and narrative. By bridging art and service, the foundation aims to foster deeper understanding between civilian and military communities, and to ensure these legacies endure.
Help Us Continue the Mission
The work of Heroes in Focus is ongoing. Each portrait session requires travel, equipment, and post-production resources. If you believe in the power of storytelling to honor service and preserve history, please consider supporting our future work.
👉 Donate Now to help us continue documenting the men and women who serve.
With gratitude to The Royal Lancers for their trust and hospitality over the years, I look forward to continuing this journey—one portrait at a time.
