Single mother takes an iconic photo of the royal family and now it could help her put her child through university

‘It just so happened that I got that lucky picture.’

Karen Anvil (GoffPhotos)

When Karen Anvil went to watch the royal family on Christmas, she wasn’t expecting to come away with one of the most iconic photos of the day.

Anvil is a single mother with one daughter, both of whom were very keen to join the crowds at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

Anvil explained how in the past, her ill health has sometimes hampered her and her daughter’s Christmas Day plans.

Karen Anvil (GoffPhotos)

“Three years ago, I was hospitalised. I had sepsis due to kidney problems,” Anvil told The Independent.

“I suffered ill health for seven years. I’m better now thank god, but I’ve always been ill.”

Anvil’s daughter said she wanted to visit Sandringham on Christmas, so Anvil promised that they would go the next year when she was feeling better.

The pair ventured out to watch the royals the following year, but it wasn’t until this year that Anvil discovered her talent for photography.

Their day started off normal, with Anvil and her daughter joining the throng of people waiting for the Royal family at 8.15am.

“We were going to visit some relatives for Christmas dinner and I thought this would be a good way to break up the day,” she said.

“We really wanted to see Meghan, so we made a morning of it. It really is as simple as that!”

At 10.55am, the moment came when Anvil snapped the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry walking alongside one another.

“We couldn’t believe that all four of them came in a line, which was mad,” she said. “That was amazing!”

The excitement at the prospect of seeing Prince Harry’s bride-to-be was palpable, with Anvil describing the crowd’s response as a “Mexican wave of cheers”.

When Anvil posted her photo online, she didn’t expect the immense reaction that it received.

Her photo currently has 13,000 likes on Twitter and Anvil has been contacted by news outlets from around the world to hear about her story.

Anvil was initially happy to give the photo away for free, before being advised by royal photographers to not be too hasty.

“At first I was giving the photo away, but then I was advised by royal photographers to get an agent,” she said.

“They passed this guy called Ken Goff on to me and he has been amazing, really helpful and lovely.”

By enforcing the copyright on her incredible photo, Anvil may now be able to put some of the money towards her daughter’s university education.

“I’m a single parent, I have been from the day she was born. I’m a proud single mum,” she said.

“It just so happened that I got that lucky picture. I didn’t want to gain anything from it."