Right Place, Right Time: How Reuters Captured the Viral Photo of Andrew Mountbatten Leaving Police Custody
Most of the time, the paparazzi get a bad name. Often, it’s deserved, but occasionally, they end up doing the Lord’s work. That’s what happened last week when Reuters photographer Phil Noble captured what is likely to become the defining image of disgraced former British Royal Andrew Mountbatten.
The photograph, taken on February 19, shows Mountbatten slumped in the back seat of a car as he is driven away from police custody following a day of questioning over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Published late that evening, the image spread rapidly, resonating far beyond the usual news cycle.
A Photo That Travelled Faster Than the Story
Reuters later shared insight into how Noble took the image in a short Instagram video. “The photo gods were on my side yesterday,” Noble says, and in this case, that wasn’t an exaggeration. He explains that while Reuters had received a tip-off that Mountbatten had been taken into custody, there was no confirmation of where exactly he was being held.
Chasing a Tip With No Fixed Destination
Over the course of the day, Noble and his colleagues tried four or five different police stations across the region, essentially gambling on being in the right place at the right time. It was pure chance that Noble happened to be outside Aylsham police station when Mountbatten was released. Even then, there were no guarantees; it was dark, he had to use flash, and he had no way of knowing which side of the car he’d be sitting on or whether he’d be visible at all.
Making Decisions in Seconds
Thinking quickly, Noble opted to shoot through the front windshield, a common tactic in situations like this, since side and rear windows are often heavily tinted. It’s a technically awkward solution at the best of times, made worse by low light, reflections, and the split-second nature of the moment.
“It’s dark, it’s hit or miss,” Noble explains. Anticipating the possibility of a release, he had already taken test shots of other vehicles leaving the station to dial in his exposure and focus. When the car finally pulled away, everything aligned just long enough to produce the frame that would soon be seen around the world. Noble took a total of six frames. Two showed police, two were blank, and one was out of focus. However, the other image was all that was needed.
When Luck Meets Experience
There’s a temptation to call images like this “lucky,” and to an extent, they are. But luck only works when paired with preparation, experience, and the instinct to make the right decision under pressure. Given the circumstances, it’s a remarkably effective photograph. It’s restrained, unshowy, and yet at the same time, heavy with implication.
Honestly, it’s an impressive image given the circumstances, and it captures something rare: the public fall from grace of a man finally being held somewhat accountable for his actions. Now, if the USA could start taking notes and follow suit, that would be a great start.