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Cradling in her arms a young boy battling cancer, Princess Diana can be seen staring intently at the child – and she did so with tears in her eyes, according to the photographer who captured the poignant moment on camera. The image is just one of thousands that Anwar Hussein, now 86, and his sons Samir, 44, and Zak, 43, who have followed in their father’s footsteps, have taken of the Royal family over the years. But it also held a very special place in the late Princess of Wales ‘s heart.

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‘Out of all the pictures you’ve taken, this is probably my favourite one’, she told Anwar. Now the veteran snapper and his talented sons are exhibiting a selection of these remarkable photographs of the late Princess and her family, paired with their first-hand accounts of the stories behind each moment. Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition, is arriving in St Katharine Docks, London for the first time from May 25. It has previously featured in Melbourne, South Carolina, Las Vegas and more to critical acclaim.

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The exhibition consists of ‘larger than life images, bespoke art installations and first-hand narration’ in a 60-minute experience delving into the lives of the royal family. Accredited by the Royal Family , the Husseins make up the longest-standing family of official royal photographers, having collectively spent over four decades working side-by-side with the princess and her family. They received special access to document the lives of the royals in public, as well as capturing more intimate, private moments, including the unforgettable revenge dress which dared to break royal protocol and the princess’ simple handshake with an AIDS patient that showed the world how to be human.

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Samir and Zak followed their father’s footsteps into royal photography by capturing the lives of Diana’s sons Prince William and Prince Harry , and now are multi-award winning and celebrated photographers themselves. The story behind Diana’s ‘favourite’ photograph reveals that she met the youngster during her visit to Imran Khan’s cancer hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, during April 1996. Sadly, he was gravely ill and did not survive. ‘She was so sad when she found out the boy had passed away shortly after her visit,’ the photographers note.

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Another image reveals further how the late Princess related to children and adored her sons, William and Harry. Wearing a yellow jumpsuit, Diana can be seen putting all her attention to the young boys while on holiday in Palma, Majorca, in 1987. The trio sit in front of Prince Charles and Queen Sofia of Spain on the steps of Marivent Palace. Just three years earlier, Anwar had snapped the moment Diana left the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital following the birth of Prince Harry on September 16, 1984 in London.

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Other iconic moments are captured on camera – including Diana’s lone visit to the Taj Mahal in India in 1992. As Charles had engagements, the late princess cut a very lonely figure in front of the ivory white marble mausoleum, which stands as a timeless symbol of love. The now infamous photograph incredibly preceded one taken by his son, Zak, 24 years later while accompanying William and Kate on their tour of the country. Diana’s 1992 trip to India also resulted in the unforgettable image of the royal shaking hands with the ‘Untouchable’, so-called because they are from the country’s lowest caste.

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There is of course an image of the unforgettable ‘revenge’ dress. On the same night in 1994 that Prince Charles admitted to the nation he had cheated on his wife, she attended a Vanity Fair party – and made sure the world’s media was firmly fixed on her. Speaking to The Sun, Zak said: ‘Sometimes you don’t even realise you’re documenting history until after, like this photo my father took of Diana wearing her ‘revenge dress’ on the night Charles made his notorious adultery admission on television.’

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On the exhibition, Anwar said: ‘I am honoured and humbled to have been given the opportunity to photograph Princess Diana so extensively and to have had the pleasure of having many friendly and insightful conversations with her. I am delighted that the images captured, as well as those of my sons, are coming home to London to recognise and memorialise such a remarkable woman and her sons.’ Pictured: Photographer Anwar with his sons Samir and Zak.

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He added: ‘There are so many memories of our two families connecting and creating a special relationship, which I am pleased to be able to display in such a unique way through the exhibition.’ The Princess Diana: Accredited Access exhibition opens on Saturday and runs until Monday, September 2, at Dockside Vaults in London. For tickets, visit princessdianaexhibit.com.