May 2009 Official Picture of the Month Poll

[Elspeth]

Oh yes, there's a quite detailed set of guidelines for the official picture polls, and quite a few photos get rejected each month and the reps are asked to submit replacements. The Dutch photo was very much in line with the guidelines and I must admit I was pleased with that photo. It's a shame when something royal like that gets ignored in favour of a kid smeared with birthday cake, which is what was happening the first year of the poll.

This is what the current guidelines look like:

1. For all formal polls, the photos must show the royal(s) at work. This means showing the visiting royal(s) greeting, interacting and mingling with heads of state, dignitaries, officials, or other royals and/or visiting museums, schools, etc. The reverse also applies; the receiving royal(s) must also be shown interacting with their guest(s).


2. These are considered official pictures:

1. Gala events such as the Nobel Prize ceremonies, state visits, royal ceremonies such as 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.
2. Openings of public events, government buildings, hospitals, christening of ships, official charity work.
3. 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.

3. These pictures are not considered official pictures:

1. Royal hobbies - Queen Margrethe designing ballet costumes. Prince Henrik presenting a cook book he has written.
2. Pictures of newborn prince(ss).
3. Presentation of new prince(ss). Example: Princess X or Queen Z leaving hospital with Prince or Princess A.
4. Birthday pictures unless the birthday is an official celebration.
5. First day of school. School is mandatory in most countries and most shots are candid.
6. Royals in gala attire unless the royals appear with the guests for whom the reception is being held.
7. Candid shots of royals during official events will no longer be accepted. (Examples: Royals dancing at the Olympics; royals making funny faces; couples touching/caressing/kissing or chatting away by themselves during official events.)
8. Nationally observed religious holidays (Christmas, Easter, Eid, etc) photos will not be considered for the official poll.
9. Holidays and vacation photos. There will be a separate poll for these types of photos.
10. Interview: unless it is part of an official function and microphones and/or reporters are clearly visible.