Andrew Hawkes MVO RVM worked at Buckingham Palace for over 36 years and took up photography as a hobby back in 2011. He moved out of London to the Berkshire countryside to carry on with his passion for photography. He's often seen going off on photo trips in the Cotswolds, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and a lot of walking along the River Thames taking photos of the landscapes, cityscapes, wildlife or in his studio doing portraits. He had some of his photos exhibited at the London Photo Festivals in 2012 and 2013 where he had some of his work sold. Even had a few published in photo magazines. Andrew showcased his work on canvas and print in his first solo exhibition at The Strand Gallery, London in 2014. In the 2004 New Year's Honours Andrew was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal and in 2015 was received by Queen Elizabeth II when Her Majesty invested him with the Insignia of a Member of the Royal Victorian Order.