Single mom reveals how a world-famous photo of royals she accidentally took has changed her life
Karen Anvil has earned more than $50,000 after taking a photo of Princes Harry and William with their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
The 40-year-old single mother from Watlington, Norfolk, was in the crowd at Sandringham when she took the photo of the smiling royals as they greeted well-wishers, as reported by BBC.
She later sold the photo, with the sales large enough so that she could take a year off work, clear debts and renovate her house.
The photo also paved the way for Anvil being given a chance to talk to Prince Harry.
Karen Anvil's photograph of Meghan Markle's first Christmas with the royals changed her life completely pic.twitter.com/0OUZDdIXCt
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 17, 2018
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Anvil, who used to work two jobs, described her fortune as “like a lottery win.”
“The biggest change for me was that it was so nice to go shopping at Tesco and not be worried about whether I've got the cash in the bank,” she said.
Snap of Royals at Sandringham last Christmas 'like lottery win' BBC News A single mum who snapped smiling Royals leaving church last Christmas Day said the photo had been "like a lottery win" and had made her £40,000 so far. https://t.co/OclYhfKHni pic.twitter.com/kqKsdOYUyK
— LutonTweets (@Lutontweets) December 20, 2018
POSTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Anvil first posted the photo, which she took with her phone, on social media, not knowing she could earn from it. A professional photographer at the church connected her with his agent, who facilitated the sale of the photo.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives by train at King's Lynn Station to begin the Christmas Holidays at Sandringham. #royal #train #queen #queenelizabeth #Christmas #kingslynn pic.twitter.com/hPQ85iano6
— Mark Cuthbert (@markacuthbert) December 20, 2018
It didn’t take long before the picture became viral. On the same day, the photo was sold to at least 50 countries. Several editions of “Hello” and “OK!” published the photo, as did various British newspapers. It also appeared on TV stations across the world.
The photo also paved the way for Anvil being given a chance to talk to Prince Harry. BBC’s One Show had put her up against a professional photographer to see who could get the best picture of the 34-year-old royal.
Nothing compared to my Mums (@Anvilius ) photo - but here is the best picture i got of the soon to be wed Royal couple on Christmas day ❤️ #Meghanmarkle #PrinceHarry #theroyalfamily #windsor #christmasday #FabFour #karenanvil pic.twitter.com/qkX48jcOqj
— Rachel Anvil (@Rachel_Drew75) May 4, 2018
“I asked him if he had seen my Christmas photo and, after looking at me quizzically, he suddenly smiled and said: 'I hope you've been paid a lot of money for it,'” she recalled.
THE MOST POPULAR ROYAL
Prince Harry is the most popular royal according to a new YouGov poll. Her wife, Meghan Markle, ranked sixth.
On the #EuroStar on my first trip to #Paris with Rachel for her 18th Birthday!!! pic.twitter.com/nbxwGGtfnh
— Karen Anvil (@Anvilius) December 5, 2018
Results of the poll showed that 77 percent of the voters admired the Duke of Sussex, who is described as “admirable, likable, humorous, fun-loving and genuine.”
After almost a year of taking the photo, it’s now time to start the living room. New floor & doors being fitted on the 2nd, so best get started on the sanding and painting! #Meghan #PrinceHarry #PrinceWilliam #Kate #FabFour pic.twitter.com/dGsFQgzEmC
— Karen Anvil (@Anvilius) November 17, 2018
The Queen came in second, with 74 percent of voters choosing her. Prince William came in third and followed by his wife, Kate Middleton, who was in fourth place.