The G7 summit is where policy, diplomacy, and photo ops collide – and few moments are as choreographed as the so-called family photo. The final image suggests calm and order, but behind the scenes it is a military-grade operation, complete with diagrams, sharp instructions, and one woman firmly in charge.
Thanks to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his social media team, we’ve been given a rare look at how it all comes together. You can watch the video at the end of the article – it’s in English, with German on-screen titles.
The woman in blue – name unknown, authority unquestioned – takes the floor. She raises her voice, rallies the room, and makes it clear: she’s in charge.
“Everybody who is not a leader, please clear the room!” she calls. The non-VIPs scatter. It’s time for the real choreography to begin.
A man appears holding a placard, showing two neat rows of what appear to be names and flags. “This is the setup for the family photo”, the woman announces, now pointing and explaining her way through the plan.
She outlines the route: onto the carpet, then onto the stage and the agreed position. No detours, no improvisation.
The same sign reappears. The same instructions follow except with the addition that there are stickers on the floor to show where each individual is supposed to stay. Visual aids, again, prove invaluable.
“Smile pretty for the cameras": Hold still and once the photo concludes, you exit the way you came in. Simple enough – in theory.
“Is everyone good?” she asks. No questions, only affirmations. Which is probably a good sign.
This is the moment where she underlines the importance of getting it right. The stakes? A flawless group photo.
Then, a twist: Macron, visibly impressed, claps and calls out “Bravo, bravo, on y va!” A rare outburst of visible enthusiasm from the French president.
“After Mexico, you follow”, she tells one participant, which seems to be Australian PM Anthony Albanese, who gives a cheerful double thumbs-up, people are laughing. Everyone seems to know their place now.
One last confirmation: are we ready? Yes, we are.
And then, somehow, it all comes together: a clean shot, a unified front, and not a single leader out of place. The woman in blue may not appear in the final photo, but behind those minutes are days of prep, a lot of pointing, and her making it all happen.
