Major General Chris Ghika CBE – Portrait Sitting

The role of the Major-General Commanding the Household Division is among the most distinguished in the British Army. As General Officer Commanding London District, the Major-General has sole responsibility for the service aspects of all State and ceremonial occasions within the capital. From Trooping the Colour to the State Opening of Parliament, this office bridges tradition and command — serving as the vital channel between the Household Division and the Monarch.

Major General Chris Ghika CBE – Major-General commanding the Household Division (Rory Lewis Non Profit 2021)

In 2021, I had the privilege of photographing Major General Chris Ghika CBE at Horse Guards, London — a setting steeped in history, once occupied by the Duke of Wellington himself. The portrait sought to capture not just a military leader, but a custodian of national pageantry and heritage.

Major General Ghika’s distinguished career spans over three decades of service. Commissioned into the Irish Guards in 1993 after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he went on to command the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and served in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. His subsequent appointments included Deputy Commander of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division, Head of Personnel Capability at Army HQ, and Deputy Commander (Strategy and Information) of the US-led coalition against ISIS (Operation Inherent Resolve).

Major General Chris Ghika CBE – Major-General commanding the Household Division (Rory Lewis Non Profit 2021)

Major General Chris Ghika CBE – Major-General commanding the Household Division (Rory Lewis Non Profit 2021)

Appointed Major-General Commanding the Household Division in 2019, Ghika oversaw the modified Trooping the Colour ceremony at Windsor Castle during the pandemic — adapting centuries-old traditions for a modern age while maintaining their dignity and precision.

This portrait, created as part of my ongoing work for the Rory Lewis Non Profit, forms part of a growing visual archive documenting the faces and legacies of Britain’s Armed Forces. These portraits celebrate service, leadership, and sacrifice — preserving them for future generations through fine-art photography.

Based in London, with studios in New York and Los Angeles, I am honored to continue capturing the men and women who serve across the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. Portraiture remains an enduring tribute — a reflection of pride, professionalism, and history.

For military and service portrait commissions, or to support the Rory Lewis Non Profit’s mission to preserve military heritage through portraiture, please visit rorylewis.studio.