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Thanks British people as Diamond Jubilee kicks off

(NEWSER) - It's 60 years to the day since Elizabeth II became queen, and she's kicking off a year of celebrations with a message to the British people. "I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years," she writes. "In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship, and good neighborliness." More»

Engagement speculation hits overdrive on word of Carole Middleton's royal invite

(NEWSER) - The mother of Prince William's girlfriend is set to meet Queen Elizabeth tomorrow, the Telegraph reports, with Carole Middleton scoring an invitation to the royal box at the Ascot races. The news intensified speculation that Kate Middleton and Prince Charles' elder son could soon be engaged, seven years after meeting at university. More»

Who is the nicest, who's the fussiest, and who never picks up his clothes

(NEWSER) - Who is the fussiest member of the British royal family? Where is the secret closet in Buckingham Palace for private drinks? Who can swim in the royal pool? These secrets and more are revealed in the Daily Mail's excerpts of the new book Not in Front of the Corgis (it's been released in Britain, but you'll have to wait for it to hit shelves in the United States). Among the revelations:

• The Prince of Wales gets his shoelaces ironed by his valet every time his shoes come off.

Guinness may be good for you , but she'll skip Ireland's famous export

(AP) - Queen Elizabeth II's journey of reconciliation to Ireland this week has been serious business—given the violent history between the two countries—which is why one might've expected Her Majesty and Prince Phillip to welcome a fresh pint of Guinness with open arms. But even the expert preparation by a Guinness master brewer in Dublin's Gravity Bar couldn't pique the queen's fancy—she smiled broadly, but declined the beverage, according to the AP . Philip, on the other hand, gazed at the brew with obvious longing. He even jokingly asked the brewer "Is it made with Liffey water?" in reference to Dublin's nearby river, but also walked away without a taste. More»

Reign surpasses that of King George III today

(AP) - Queen Elizabeth II has become the second-longest reigning monarch in the last 1,000 years of British royal history. The queen today passes King George III in terms of total days served. She has been queen for 21,645 days, to the 21,644 days George racked up between 1760 and 1820. Elizabeth II is now second only to Queen Victoria. The 85-year-old queen would surpass Victoria's length of service in September 2015. More»