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 carrying a string of must-see moments and some hilarious candid expressions. 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!
Following a rare ice storm in Charleston, SC, kids played on a sand dune covered with snow.
First Lady Michelle Obama waved from her box seat alongside US Army Ranger Cory Remsburg during the State of the Union address in Washington DC.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles enjoyed some beer while visiting The Bell Pub in Purleigh, England.
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.
Shelley Rudman, a skeleton skiing athlete from Team Great Britain, trained for the Sochi games in Sheffield, England.
Hillary Clinton spoke at the 10th National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in New Orleans.
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.
In Chicago, a person braved -10ºF temperatures to snap pictures of the steam over Lake Michigan.
A San Franciscan walked past the Bay Bridge as much-needed rain fell on the drought-stricken area.
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.
A sanitation worker gathered a pile of salt in Chicago, preparing for another major Winter storm.
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.
Waka Ama crew members welcome each other with a nose press on the beach as they celebrate Waitangi Day in New Zealand.
Prince Charles, now officially a grandfather, enjoyed playing with twins during a day out in London.
The Radio City Rockettes performed in Grand Central Terminal as a preview for their new show.
President Barack Obama walked across the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One.
Sunbathers packed gorgeous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as one in particular enjoyed a shower.
A worker perched on the Christ the Redeemer statue during a ceremony blessing the workers by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro.
A biologist gave an African Penguin a Valentine's Day card at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
Couples took part in a mass wedding ceremony at Cheongshim Peace World Center in South Korea.
Citizens released paper hot air balloons for good luck during Jwibulnoli, a South Korean folk game.
Huge waves hit the Newhaven Lighthouse as another Altlantic storm hits the coast of Great Britain.
Darth Vader's costume was displayed during the presentation of the exhibition Star Wars Identities at the Cité du Cinéma outside Paris.
People lit candles in front of Dresden's Frauenkirche church on the 69th anniversary of the World War II firebombing of the city.
Prince Harry sat in the cockpit of one of the aircrafts while visiting the Boultbee Flight Academy in Goodwood, England.
A young boy was seen among the antigovernment protesters in Kiev, Ukraine, where clashes took a more violent turn.
In Wellington, New Zealand, the ferry moved through the fog on the Wellington Harbour.
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.
Pope Francis greeted a group of cardinals when he arrived for the extraordinary consistory in Vatican City.
Crowds gathered in the streets of Roztoky in the Czech Republic at the start of Carnival season.
People participated in the naked inner-tube sledding competition in Hecklingen, Germany.
People snapped pictures in front of snow sculptures in Gulmarg, a popular tourist town near Kashmir, India.
Zara Phillips brought her baby daughter, Mia Tindall, to the Barbury Castle Point-to-Point race meeting in Marlborough, England.
Venice, Italy, saw the opening of Carnival with the traditional regatta on the Grand Canal.