A photograph of the Princess of Wales and her children watching a VE Day flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace has been shortlisted for an award decided by public vote. The image, taken on May 5 last year, shows Kate, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte leaning to one side to catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows during the 80th anniversary commemorations.
The picture is one of 21 selected by a panel of judges for the annual UK Picture Editors Guild Awards. Another shortlisted photo from the same day shows the King chatting with 101-year-old Second World War veteran Ruth Barnwell at a tea party following the VE Day procession. A further image features the Princess Royal encountering two sleeping farmers while touring cattle stalls at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.
Among other notable shortlisted works is a harrowing photograph capturing the aftermath of the terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester last October. Also included are photos of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner vaping on an inflatable boat, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch inadvertently pointing a gun at a soldier during a visit to Carver Barracks in Essex.
The shortlist also features sports star Rory McIlroy celebrating after winning the 2025 Ryder Cup, and Larry the Cat roaming outside 10 Downing Street as Sir Keir Starmer greets President Zelensky. Other images cover migrants preparing to cross the English Channel, protesters at the Unite The Kingdom rally, the arrest of 89-year-old Ursula Pethick for displaying pro-Palestine messages, and photos of Nigel Farage and Pope Francis’s funeral.
Voting for the award closes at noon on June 10, with the winner announced on June 30.
