New Book Reveals Queen Mum's Secret Interviews

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»

Rule change agreed to today

(NEWSER) - Thanks to a rule change agreed to today, Prince William’s firstborn can ascend the throne, even if that firstborn happens to be a girl. The change to the royal succession rules was approved by leaders of the 16 countries for whom the British monarch is head of state; they also decided to scrap the rule prohibiting a monarch or heir from marrying a Catholic. 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.

Rugby star drunkenly pressed face into breasts, says tabloid

(NEWSER) - Royal scandal alert! England rugby captain Mike Tindall has been spotted kissing and groping a blonde woman just six weeks after wedding Zara Phillips , Queen Elizabeth’s oldest granddaughter. He also, the Sun notes, allegedly rubbed his face into the woman’s breasts. Tindall was enjoying a night off during the World Cup in New Zealand, drinking with other players at a bar when the shenanigans occurred. 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»