August 2009 Official PoM Poll

[dazzling]

Welcome to the
August 2009 Official Picture of the Month Poll!

The monthly official polls will highlight the official side of royalty as opposed to the informal side of royalty.

The monthly formal polls will consist of pictures that show a royal on official business.

• gala events such as the Nobel prize ceremonies, state visits, royal ceremonies such as the the Order of the Garter ceremony in Great Britain or the New Years gala for the Knights of the Order of the Elephant in Denmark, Opening of Parliament, coronations, enthronements.
• openings of public events, government buildings, hospitals, christening of ships, official charity work
• family celebrations (such as wedding, christening, or special days such as Victoria Day in Sweden or Queen's Day in the Netherlands, King Harald's 70th birthday) and the balcony shots that accompany them
• among many other official events

We hope by the end of the year to have some really stunning and regal Picture of the Month winners to compete in our 2009 Picture of the Year awards.

The pictures in this poll reflect the official royal events of June. It will close on 08 October 2009. During this time, we ask that NO ONE STATE WHOM THEY'VE VOTED FOR so as not to influence other members as they make their choices. After the poll closes, you can discuss as much as you'd like about which image you voted for and why.

This month, our Picture of the Month representatives had help in selecting their images with a small committee of their choosing. Below, you can see each royal house's representative (in bold) followed by their chosen committee members.

Belgium

Ladyleana - stephanievl, Marengo

Britain

TheTruth - jcbcode99

Brunei/Malaysia/Dubai/Morocco

Humera - Warren

Denmark

GlitteringTiaras - Jessrulz, Princess Robijn, Madame Royale

Greece

Rhapsodybrat - Odette

Japan
Dragonsfire8 - Al_bina

Jordan
Humera - Little_star, salma

Luxembourg

Jessrulz - grim_lady, kyansaunt20

Monaco

Iceflower - radker18,

Norway

Her_Majesty - Kikkib, Maura724

Spain

Paty - Ladejesus, Mari_*

Sweden

Iceflower - HRH Kerry

The Netherlands

The Watcher -Marengo, Lucien

Romania & Russia

Marsel -

If you have any ideas or suggestions for future polls, feel free to contact Dazzling, Mandy or LadyK.

Please note that the links in the above poll have been posted in the order in which they were received and do not reflect the opinions of the moderating team.

Enjoy and have fun!
Mandy, LadyK & Dazzling

[dazzling]

A.) Monaco

Picture Link
Source: AP

Royal inspection - Prince Albert of Monaco examines the cup, during the UEFA Super Cup final soccer match between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk, at the Louis II stadium, in Monaco, August 28, 2009.

B.) Sweden

Picture Link
Source: Scanpix

Joined forces - Princess Madeleine of Sweden during the opening of a Ronald McDonald House in Linkoping, Sweden, August 26, 2009. The Princess planted a tree together with two little girls.


C.) Japan

Picture Link
Source: Junko Kimura/Getty Images

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan bow at the altar during the memorial service for the war dead of World War II at Nippon Budokan on August 15, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.

D.) Spain

Picture Link
Source: EFE/Casareal

On August 9, The Prince of Asturias attended the Inauguration of the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa.

E.) Luxembourg

Picture Link
Source: wort.lu

Grand Duke Henri (C), with his sons Princes Sebastien, Felix and Louis in the background, attends the opening of the Luxembourg-America Cultural Centre in Wisconsin, the USA, on August 8th 2009.

F.) Brunei

Picture Link
Source: Infofoto

Princess Sarah attends the Second Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BRIDEX) on August 14, 2009. She is accompanied by her mother Suzanne Rahaman Aeby and son Prince Abdul Muntaqim.

G.) Dubai

Picture Link
Source: Belga

Princess Haya attends day two of The European Show Jumping and Dressage Championships in Windsor.

H.) Malaysia

Picture Link
Source: Reuters

King Mizan Zainal Abidin and Queen Nur Zahirah watch National Day celebrations at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2009. Malaysia celebrated the 52nd anniversary of its independence.

I.) Morocco

Picture Link
Source: MAP

King Mohammed VI and Prince Moulay Rachid pray at the tomb of their late grandfather King Mohammed V.

J.) Norway

Picture Link
Source: Scanpix

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon attend the opening of new information centre at Vestbanen in Oslo, Norway August 28, 2009.

K.) Belgium

Picture Link
Source: ANP

Princess Mathilde and family watch the entertainment during the garden party in honour of the golden wedding anniversary of King Albert and Queen Paola

L.) Jordan

Picture Link
Source: Petra

Queen Rania tours the King Hussein Charity Society for Orphans on August 24, 2009.

M.) Britian

Picture Link
Source: gettyimages

Zara Phillips sits onboard 'Artemis Ocean Racing' as she competes in the Artemis Challenge yacht race during Cowes week on August 5, 2009.

[Marsel]

I probably repeat myself every month, but brilliant choices, everyone!
Although all pictures were unique in their own way, there were two or three I strongly hesitated between.

Waiting forward to the results.

[lumutqueen]

No denmark again.
All those pictures are beautiful. A very hard choice.

[Enigma]

i didn't find any difficulty in choosing my favorite pic, but i wasn't able to see japan's and britain's enteries!!!..but i voted. thanks.

[chaimae]

another time i have to congratulate the team for the great work they do , me too i didnt find any defficulty to choose my favorite picture !
i will be very happy to see my picture win .

[dazzling]

Originally Posted by Enigma

i didn't find any difficulty in choosing my favorite pic, but i wasn't able to see japan's and britain's enteries!!!..but i voted. thanks.

They should be working fine. I had no problem in opening them.
Sometimes you have to refresh the page.

Originally Posted by lumutqueen

No denmark again.
All those pictures are beautiful. A very hard choice.

No, no Denmark. With GT leaving the team we didnt have time to replace her but we sure will get a picture for next month with Princess Robijn as the Denmark's new rep

[Enigma]

[QUOTE=dazzling;993021]They should be working fine. I had no problem in opening them.
Sometimes you have to refresh the page.



thanks dazzling! i am able to see them today without any problem

[MelinaB.]

Beautiful pictures all of them!I didn't hesitate at all,I picked immediately the one who brought tears to my eyes.

[Patra]

Like the "green" thoughts of Madeline and girls planting trees.

[Her_Majesty]

The winners of the poll:

1. Sweden
2. Belgium
3. Norway

Thanks for voting!

[Marsel]

Congratulations to Sweden!
It was really a wonderful picture of Princess Madeline.

I voted for another one though - the picture of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. I thought that deep and sincere bow was highly symbolic: the Emperor and Empress paying their respects to all those who died in WWII. The picture was also visually very beautiful.

The Jordanian and Norwegian pictures were among my favourites too. Jordanian one because I appreciated how Queen Rania managed to brighten the day of the orphans and because I think very highly of King Hussein Foundation (if it weren't for Japanese picture, I'd probably vote for this one). The Norwegian picture was somewhat futuristic, at least that was the visual impression.
And I totally, absolutely loved that the British committee went against the mainstream again and choose a picture of one of the less senior Royals. And a most beautiful picture too.