Picture of the Month - July 2006

[ysbel]

Welcome to July's Picture of the Month poll!

To emphasize that the Picture of the Month polls are different from other polls around the forum, and that the emphasis should be on the pictures rather than the royal houses for which they represent, instead of the country name, the pictures are embedded into the poll choices this month. To see the image in its full size, click on the thumbnail to enlarge.

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: Mette2 - Dennism and Danielle

Spain: mtbcm - LaChicaMadrilena, Elsa M., Anna_R

Jordan: Humera - Little_star

Morocco: Humera - Warren

Brunei: Humera - Warren

Monaco: tbhrc - Ianna, Michelle, Iceflower

Japan: mandyy - kei893265, merampo

Norway: purple_platinum - Larzen, LaMinka

Sweden: purple_platinum - Lena, GrandDuchess

Luxembourg: suturegeisha - drimal

The Netherlands: The Watcher - Marengo, Maxie

Britain: princejohnny25 - ysbel, HMQueenElizabethII, Avalon

Denmark: H.M. Margrethe - Mandy and norwegianne

The poll will be open for three weeks. It will close on August 21. During these three weeks, we ask that no one state whom they've voted for so as not to influence other members as they make their choices. For the final week of the month, you can discuss as much as you'd like about which image you voted for and why.

Please note that the pictures in the above poll have been posted in a random order, first by their shape (portrait or landscape), and do not reflect any personal feelings of The Moderating Team.

[ysbel]

A. Norway




The Norwegian Crown Princely family (Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Marius Borg-Hoiby) along with Queen Sonja gathered at the Royal Family’s summer residence Maageroe, around 100 kms south of Oslo, on 20 July 2006 for the celebration of Crown Prince Haakon’s 32nd birthday. Source : POOL/scanpix


B. Sweden




On July 18, 2006, Queen Silvia of Sweden, along with King Carl Gustaf arrived on the replica of the Swedish merchant ship, "Gotheborg", at the Nansha Ferry Terminal in Guangzhou, China. The Swedish royals are visiting China on a State Visit from July 18 to 22. Their visit is also connected with the arrival to Guangzhou of the replica sailing ship Gotheborg, built exactly as the Swedish original which sailed to China during the 18th century. Source : Aftonbladet Bild

C. Japan




Prince Akishino and his eldest daughter Princess Mako having some fun during the "Okihiki" ceremony in Mie Prefecture on July 30th, 2006. Source: Yomiuri news


D. Britain




After playing the sport of Kings, a cheerful Prince Harry jokes around with his mates. Source: Corbis


E. Monaco




For his first enthronement anniversary this July, a very private reportage about Prince Albert and his family has been published in several magazines around europe. In this picture you can see Prince Albert sharing a talk with his sister Princess Caroline and her children Charlotte and Pierre in the princely Palace's courtyard. Source: Gérard Rancinan/ published in Stern


F. Jordan:




Queen Noor attends the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colorado. The Queen discussed ideas on global dynamics, regional stability, and the Middle East at the event. Source: Corbis

[ysbel]

G. Brunei:





(L-R) Queen Saleha, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and Princess Azrinaz share a light moment at a royal banquet held at the Nurul Iman Palace. The banquet, hosted by the Sultan in honour of Brunei's uniformed personnel, was held in conjunction with the monarch's 60th birthday celebrations. Source: Infofoto


H. Spain





In her first Summer Hollidays which Godmother could Leonor wish for than her own... These days Queen Sofia become ámama sharing tender moments with Leonor, while watching her discover the world under the sun of Mallorca. Source: ELMUNDO.es


I. Denmark





A photo taken by CP Mary in the garden behind Fredensborg castle. Source: CP Frederik and CP Marys website


J. Netherlands





TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA, ITALY - JULY 06: Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands poses with Princess Catharina-Amalia during a photo call in their Italian summer residence on July 6, 2006 in Tavarnelle, Italy. Source: PPE Agency/Nieboer


K. Belgium





Claire, Laurent, Nicolas, and Aymeric posing for pictures. Source: Point De Vue

[ysbel]

L. Luxembourg



Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg receives the Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom in the Grand Ducal Palace. Source: rtl.lu.

[Vanesa]

Hey...How nice! Babies again! It's very hard to make a choice with so beatiful little faces. All pics are really great and I'm thankful that you have post them here.

Vanesa.

[selrahc4]

Yes, the babies have an advantage...it's hard not to vote for them. I'm disappointed that Lady Louise wasn't chosen for a July picture.

[Juanita]

All the photos are beautiful... but i know what i prefer

[ZandraRae]

OH gosh, so many choices... I can't pick, oh yes maybe I can. lol

[HRH Mims]

I came, I voted. I choosed very hard. And I hope, my secret tip will win.

[krissy_au]

really don't know which to choose .... they all look lovely

[Alexandria]

Originally Posted by selrahc4

Yes, the babies have an advantage...it's hard not to vote for them. I'm disappointed that Lady Louise wasn't chosen for a July picture.

Babies are cute, yes, and many people can't resist a cute baby or an adorable toddler, but I think there are other factors to consider when casting your vote, too.

Like if the picture has a beautiful background that speaks about the country for which the monarchy represents, or if the actions in the image speak of a significant moment in the activities of the monarchy or the family's relationships.

Perhaps the picture has been taken in a unique angle or perhaps the subject of the picture is unique or shows the subjects in a manner that we don't usually see of them.

A cute face is one thing, but there are other factors that could be considered when casting your vote, too. So don't be disheartened if your favourite monarchy doesn't have a cute baby in it.

[Vanesa]

And yes, Alexandria, you are right: we must choice more than a cute face when we vote for some pic posted here. But I, for one, thinks that babies represents the future of all the Monarchies of our time, and it's for this reason that I always vote for a baby (if there is one) for month's polls photographies.

We knows our own times, the present, that sometimes is hard to face. But we didn't know the future, that may (and certainly MUST) be better than nowadays. These cute babies are the future Kings and Queens of the times to come. This is my main reason to vote for them.

Vanesa.

[morhange]

It's so hard to choose! Between babies and monarchial tradition. Ahhh! Oh, btw the way can someone possibly translate the French on the picture about Laurent and Claire with the twins?

[houri]

oh it is realy hard to pick a choice , the babies are cute so I think I know what to chose ^_^

[Princess of Monaco]

This month in the poll has incredible pictures, i has to think a lot for choose

[Next Star]

all of the pictures are great it is diffcult to choose which one is the best.

[mtbcm]

[kartheina]

For me, it was a toss-up between the Monegasque and the Spanish photos.

I loved the Monegasque picture because its photography style is very unique and distinct compared to the rest. In fact, I find its quality to be photo exhibit material. If the royals were replaced with random, anonymous people, that picture could still stand as a respectable piece of art.

However, having said that, I have to admit that I ultimately based my vote on the subject and I picked the Spanish photo. From the moment I saw it, I was captivated by the spontaneity and warmth of Queen Sofia’s smile. The photo has captured very well that look of grandmothers, which is reserved especially for their grandchildren. It reminds me of my own grandma who’s remembered affectionately and sorely missed.

[crisiñaki]

the SRF won again!:w00t2:
congratulations T and the rest of the SRF Picture Comitee, you know you have our support!

[soCal girl]

The Spanish picture is very sweet.

I voted for the Belgium photo because it was such a cute picture. I don't know who is who but I love how one twin looks grumpy and the other so happy while rubbing noses with Claire. It was also nice because they're part of the BRF not seen very often.