Royal photos of the week

The ruling houses of Europe provide us with lots of great images every week but some stick in the memory longer than others. Every seven days bring photos that mark a moment that's special or a time that won't be forgotten. Sometimes the most memorable images are the ones that make us smile or laugh, sometimes they are moving and emotional, sometimes they just make us think. Here are the five standout royal photos of the week just gone.

I can't put my finger on why one image of Prince Harry and his grandmother, The Queen, was so stand out but the photo of them at the Chelsea Flower Show in the week is one of those royal pictures that will last for years. Posted on Instagram, it showed the prince bowing to his granny as she arrives and although it's taken at a distance you can feel the Queen's smile. Maybe it's the old fashioned chivalry of Harry's bow with his hand resting on his stomach, maybe it's the brilliant way the camera catches the beginnings of a sunset, maybe it's the way the photo shows the dozens of people around them being ignored by two royal relations happy in each other's company. Whatever the reason, this one is a keeper - and easily the royal photo of the week.

There were many special images from the four day visit of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland but one made headlines around the world and will do so for years to come. The moment that Prince Charles shook hands with Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, provided an image that truly deserves the often used description of 'historic'. The two men had a fifteen minute meeting afterwards but it was that second of first meeting and the handshake that really lingers in the memory.

View image | gettyimages.com

Sweden's Royal Family is about to get a new member and as the banns were read for the marriage of Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist at the Royal Palace Chapel there was a photo for the history books too. The couple sat, surrounded by their families, for a portrait that provides the first glimpse of the soon to be Duchess of Varmland and her new relations.

The First Communion of the heir to the Spanish throne, Princess Leonor, was a special day in itself. But it also provided the first public glimpse of the two kings and two queens of Spain together that we've had since June 19th 2014 when the throne passed from Juan Carlos I to Felipe VI. The family looked slightly awkward as they all posed together and Juan Carlos and his consort, Sofia, couldn't have stood much further apart if they'd tried. They all headed home to a party which included Auntie Cristina - the inclusion of the infanta in the celebrations took many by surprised and may have been the reason Felipe found it hard to crack more than the slightest grin. But however uncomfortable the adults looked, the children came across as happy and content and the photo of all of them together is a major milestone in the monarchy of Spain.

View image | gettyimages.com

If you want to get ahead, get a hat and if you want  great royal photo put two queens together and snap away. Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde met up this week to launch an art exhibition but the best image of the day was of the two women leaning in towards one another while wearing hats so bright onlookers needed sunglasses. These two royal ladies have set the bar for the new generation of queen consorts and the image of the two of them sharing a confidence while decked in their best is symbolic of that.

View image | gettyimages.com