Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been doing a series of interviews with foreign media while in Europe. The point, say his officials, is to promote Canada's agenda. But the coverage after the G20 is not about Harper's positions during the summit.

Rather its about how Canada's prime minister missed the first G20 family portrait.

In London's Daily Telegraph, there's a photo with a circle where Harper's face should be.

In the Financial Times, there's a small article with the headline "Canadian Prime Minister answers call of nature instead of group photocall." The article says Harper was "spending a penny," British slang for going to the toilet, while the others were fixing their smiles.

Harper's officials insist he was not in the washroom, but rather being briefed by staff.

— Susan Lunn