Between the Sochi Games and some surprising Winter weather, there were more than a few memorable moments captured on camera in February. The world watched as the best athletes competed in Russia, with the 2014 Olympics [1] carrying a string of must-see moments [2] and some hilarious candid expressions [3]. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and the rest of the British royal family made official appearances, the Obamas were in the spotlight for the State of the Union address, and several cities saw extrasnowy days. As the month comes to a close, take a look at February's best pictures from around the world!
Game Time
The Olympic cauldron was tested at the Sochi Olympic Park in Russia.
Sandy Snow
Following a rare ice storm in Charleston, SC, kids played on a sand dune covered with snow.
Special Seats
First Lady Michelle Obama [4] waved from her box seat alongside US Army Ranger Cory Remsburg during the State of the Union address in Washington DC.
Flag Waving
People in Melbourne, Australia, gathered for the Australia Day parade.
On Tap
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles enjoyed some beer while visiting The Bell Pub in Purleigh, England.
Protest Performance
In London, people performed parts of Swan Lake outside the Russian Embassy and submitted a petition asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to "end his assault on freedom of expression and gay rights" in his country.
In Shape
Shelley Rudman, a skeleton skiing athlete from Team Great Britain, trained for the Sochi games in Sheffield, England.
In the Spotlight
Hillary Clinton spoke at the 10th National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in New Orleans.
On Fire
People in Lerwick, Scotland, participated in a traditional festival of fire.
Holy Kisses
Pope Francis gave a little girl a kiss during his weekly audience in Vatican City.
Speaking Out
People on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate filled the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, holding up signs to voice their pro- and anti-gay-marriage opinions.
Icy Shores
In Chicago, a person braved -10ºF temperatures to snap pictures of the steam over Lake Michigan.
Speed Demon
Romanian luger Valentin Cretu prepped for the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away
A San Franciscan walked past the Bay Bridge as much-needed rain fell on the drought-stricken area.
In Memoriam
Candles burned during a vigil for actor Philip Seymour Hoffman [5] in New York.
Glow in the Dark
Dancers performed during the Olympics opening ceremony.
Royal Salute
Gunners from 105th Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 21-gun royal salute at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne.
Uphill Battle
A sanitation worker gathered a pile of salt in Chicago, preparing for another major Winter storm.
London Fog
London looked monochromatic under dark clouds.
Crash Into Me
Storm waves hit the seafront in Dawlish, England.
Looking Good
Hillary Clinton was all smiles during a round table put on by Univision.
Huh?!
Fame, 3, a Papillon, waited for a treat after demonstrating skills for the upcoming agility competition as part of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Head-to-Head
Waka Ama crew members welcome each other with a nose press on the beach as they celebrate Waitangi Day in New Zealand.
Got Your Nose
Prince Charles, now officially a grandfather, enjoyed playing with twins during a day out in London.
Jazz Hands
The Radio City Rockettes performed in Grand Central Terminal as a preview for their new show.
Fired Up
Men carried torches during the Oto Fire Festival at Kamikura Shrine in Japan.
Shredding Powder
In Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, a golf course got some much-needed plowing.
Bounce in His Step
President Barack Obama walked across the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One.
Cooling Down
Sunbathers packed gorgeous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as one in particular enjoyed a shower.
Love Lockdown
A view of the Pont Des Arts on Valentine's Day in Paris.
Sky High
An Olympic skier rocketed into the air at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
Blue Skies
A worker perched on the Christ the Redeemer statue during a ceremony blessing the workers by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro.
Love Birds
A biologist gave an African Penguin a Valentine's Day card at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
Wedding Bells
Couples took part in a mass wedding ceremony at Cheongshim Peace World Center in South Korea.
Floating Lights
Citizens released paper hot air balloons for good luck during Jwibulnoli, a South Korean folk game.
Coastal Storms
Huge waves hit the Newhaven Lighthouse as another Altlantic storm hits the coast of Great Britain.
Fighting Back
An antigovernment protester stood inside a barricade in Kiev, Ukraine.
Heading Abroad
David Beckham [6] greeted fans in the Philippines.
Snow White (House)
Snow fell in front of the US Capitol building in Washington DC.
Snow Way
A bicycle sat in the dirty snow in New York City during an unusually snowy Winter.
Taking Water
Houses were ravaged by flooding on the Thames Riviera in the United Kingdom.
Festival of Lights
Performers took part in the Singkawang Lantern Festival in Indonesia.
May the Force Be With You
Darth Vader's costume was displayed during the presentation of the exhibition Star Wars Identities at the Cité du Cinéma outside Paris.
In Memoriam
People lit candles in front of Dresden's Frauenkirche church on the 69th anniversary of the World War II firebombing of the city.
Taking Off
Prince Harry sat in the cockpit of one of the aircrafts while visiting the Boultbee Flight Academy in Goodwood, England.
Snowy Shores
With Lake Michigan more than 80 percent frozen [7], Chicago saw an icy shoreline.
In the Thick of It
A young boy was seen among the antigovernment protesters in Kiev, Ukraine, where clashes took a more violent turn [8].
White Out
In Wellington, New Zealand, the ferry moved through the fog on the Wellington Harbour.
Frozen Moment
Olympic snowboarders Michela Moioli of Italy, Alexandra Jekova of Bulgaria, Faye Gulini of Team USA, and Chloe Trespeuch of France made one of the jumps together during the women's snowboard cross.
Holy Crowd
Pope Francis greeted a group of cardinals when he arrived for the extraordinary consistory in Vatican City.
Goodbye, Winter
Crowds gathered in the streets of Roztoky in the Czech Republic at the start of Carnival season.
Going Bare
People participated in the naked inner-tube sledding competition in Hecklingen, Germany.
Photo Op
People snapped pictures in front of snow sculptures in Gulmarg, a popular tourist town near Kashmir, India.
Royal Baby
Zara Phillips brought her baby daughter, Mia Tindall, to the Barbury Castle Point-to-Point race meeting in Marlborough, England.
In Love
Following weeks of chilly weather, NYC saw some warmer temperatures and thick fog.
Bright Boats
Venice, Italy, saw the opening of Carnival with the traditional regatta on the Grand Canal.