Best royal photos of 2013

A year always comes down to just a few moments in time.  Hours, days, weeks, months - all disappear to be remembered by a few fleeting seconds that last forever. The images that sum up a year hold all the joy, hope and sadness that the twelve months they happened in brought with them.  Caught forever, a few unforgettable royal moments from 2013.

Four generations of monarchs for the United Kingdom - Elizabeth II and her successors

October 23rd 2013, St James' Palace London

And so into history -  King Albert II, of the Belgians, ahead of his abdication on July 21st 2013

July 2013, Brussels

My son and my king - Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates in favour of Willem-Alexander

April 30th 2013, The Royal Palace, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

One kiss, a thousand questions - Queen Sofia of Spain and King Juan Carlos

September 18th 2013, Zarzeula Palace, Madrid

A king says thank you - King Carl XVI Gustaf and his son, Carl Philip, on Jubilee day

September 15th 2013, The Royal Palace, Stockholm

Striking and then some - the official portrait of the Danish Royal Family released this year

October 2013, Copenhagen

Happy ever after - the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill

June 8th 2013, The Royal Palace, Stockholm

A happy family - the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway turn 40

July 2013, Norway

The smile of true success - Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her coronation

June 4th 2013, Westminster Abbey, London