Princess Diana Heartbreak: Royal’s Photographer Patrick Demarchelier Dead at 78

By Alexandria Reeves

Princess Diana's friend and former photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, has died. He was 78.

On Thursday, Demarchelier's representatives confirmed the news on Instagram, expressing their great sadness after losing the famed fashion photographer. They shared three photos of Demarchelier alongside a short caption.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Demarchelier on March 31, 2022, at the age of 78," it said, as quoted by France 24. "He is survived by his wife Mia, his three sons Gustaf, Arthur, Victor, and three grandchildren."

The post did not reveal Patrick Demarchelier's cause of death, but WWD reported that the photographer was in St. Barths when he passed away.

Following the emergence of the news about his death, online users who have seen his works paid tribute to him.

Legendary French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier has passed away at the age of 78. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends. 💕 pic.twitter.com/9OHcTguzPD
— MEFeater Magazine (@mefeater) March 31, 2022

With the death today of photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue - and the fashion world - have lost one of the greats. #RIP #PatrickDemarchelier pic.twitter.com/B8b60Vi9GN
— Kevin Cummins (@KCMANC) March 31, 2022

Patrick Demarchelier's Legacy Remembered

Demarchelier launched his career at the age of 20 when he moved to Paris from Le Havre. At that time, he began working as an assistant photographer for several renowned lensmen, including Henri Cartier-Bresson and Hans Feurer.

While working with them, he honed his photography skills before deciding to try his luck in the United States in 1975, where he opened his first-ever studio. Soon after getting to the country, he immediately became well-known in the fashion industry that several fashion magazines across the globe tapped him for a collaboration.

Among his past employers were Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Allure. Demarchelier also worked with brands like Chanel, Target, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Target, Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Yves Saint Laurent, Donna Karan, and Celine, among others.

He also has a long list of celebrity collaborators, taking the best photos of Tyra Banks, Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Nicole Kidman, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, RuPaul, Gena Rowlands, and Amber Heard, to name a few.

However, he was not always in the highest place in his career as he was accused of unwanted sexual advances in the past years.

In a post shared by Vogue in 2018, Boston Globe reportedly shared the accusations made by multiple models. Demarchelier denied the alleged sexual misconduct, saying that people lie and tell stories.

Despite defending himself, Conde Nast cut him off from its roster and declared it would not work with him for the foreseeable future. The incident also caused it to create a new Code of Conduct to avoid misconduct in the fashion industry.