Buckingham Palace Guards 'Ran Porn, Poker Rings'

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»

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.

Skeleton found on island 100 yards from Buckingham Palace

(NEWSER) - The body of an American man obsessed with Queen Elizabeth II lay undiscovered for three years on an island in sight of Buckingham Palace, an inquest has determined. Robert Moore, who was in his late 60s, arrived in Britain in 2007 and appears to have lived in the undergrowth on a small island in St James' Park, just 100 yards from the palace, until his death sometime in 2008, the Daily Mail reports. More»

One perk: Live on 50K-acre estate

(NEWSER) - The Queen of England doesn't post much on Craigslist, but she's got a job vacancy that needs filling: Chief gardener at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Elizabeth II wants someone who's driven, can manage others, and won't need much supervision. Presumably you also have to be capable of gardening. The privately owned estate spreads across 50,000 acres and has been in the royal family since 1848, when Queen Victoria snapped it up. Get the job and you'll live like a queen—right on the grounds, the AP reports. More»

Royal accounts reveal surge in spending

(NEWSER) - Anti-monarchists in Britain are wondering why public spending on Prince Charles and his household shot up 18% at a time when most government departments are grappling with major cutbacks. The prince's annual accounts show that government grants to cover things like his official travel and the upkeep of his residence rose to $3.13 million over the last year, reports the Independent. More»