You can see this convention in films, advertising, fashion photography, romance novels, celebrity photography, and even wedding portraits.

A taller man and shorter woman can be presented as visually “balanced” according to traditional expectations.

But real people don’t always fit those proportions.

Couples come in every possible combination of heights.

Some women are taller than their partners.

Some couples are almost exactly the same height.

Others have a large natural difference.

Photography can either reveal those differences or minimize them.

That’s why Wade’s analysis of Charles and Diana is interesting: it treats royal photographs not merely as snapshots, but as images created within a particular social and cultural environment.

The Importance of Royal Image-Making

The British royal family has historically paid close attention to public presentation.

Official portraits, public appearances, ceremonies, and major events are highly visible.

Photographers and media organizations are constantly capturing images of members of the royal family.