This Week in Photos, Week of March 9-15, 2012

Performers dressed in costumes take part in the Moomba Festival Parade on March 12 in Melbourne, Australia.

In this handout provided by Friends Furever, Chris De Aboitiz rides a wave with his surf dog during the Surfing Dog Spectacular on March 12 at Noosa beach in Queensland, Australia. The VetShopAustralia.com.au Surfing Dog Spectacular was the first official dog surfing event held in Australia, and opened the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

Balloons take off in the Balloon Spectacular during Canberra Festival in Canberra, Australia. The annual balloon festival is considered one of the best in the world, and is unique in allowing patrons to float above parliament, embassies and other government buildings.

Entertainment One is attempting to set the Guinness World Record for the longest chain of brides in one location at HMV, Oxford Street in London. The event was held to celebrate the DVD release of <i>The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1</i>.

A general view of the atmosphere at <i>The Hunter</i> red carpet arrivals during the 2012 SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX.

Candles are placed in the shape of the date of the Kobe earthquake, in tribute to victims of the disaster, on March 11 in Kesennuma, Japan. On the 1-year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year's earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing, continue to struggle.

Queen Elizabeth II attends the Commonwealth Day of Observance at Westminster Abbey.

Sebastien Loeb of France and Daniel Elena of Monaco celebrate their victory during day 3 of the WRC Rally Mexico on March 11 in Leon, Mexico.

First Lady Michelle Obama plays tennis with students during an Olympics-themed event with area school children at American University on March 13 in Washington, DC.

A worker installs a group of panda lanterns for the upcoming Wuhan-Chengdu International Panda Lantern Festival in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.

Al Ferof ridden by Ruby Walsh jumps a fence in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase run during day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13 in Cheltenham, England.

Darya Klishina of Russia competes in the Women's Long Jump Final during day 3 of the 14th IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Atakoy Athletics Arena on March 11 in Istanbul.

Elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus walk in front of the US Capitol during a parade in Washington, DC.

Malaysia's King Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah salutes as he inspects an honor guard during the opening of the parliament sitting, at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur.

A large crowd in the "Guinness Village" on Ladies' Day, during day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham racecourse.