Queen Mum Was a 'Ghastly Old Bigot'

Republicans find lavish celebrations fly in face of austerity elsewhere

(NEWSER) - Not everyone in Britain is thrilled beyond words about Queen Elizabeth's big diamond jubilee on Saturday: Somewhere between 22% and 50% of Britons are estimated to be anti-monarchist, and with a tough austerity program rocking Britain's economy, many anti-austerity protesters are teaming up with republicans to demonstrate against the flashy (and costly) celebrations of Britain's second-longest serving monarch ever, reports the Guardian . Yesterday, 400 people gathered for an "alternative jubilee street party" outside the deputy prime minister's home, one of 11 protests held around the country to demonstrate against the government's austerity program. More»

(NEWSER) - The Queen Mum, Queen Elizabeth II's mother, gave just one interview at age 22 and guarded her privacy the rest of her long life. But a new official biography, published next month, draws on hours of interviews she secretly gave to a school headmaster. As the Telegraph reports, the book reveals for the first time her thoughts on the abdication crisis of 1936, in which her husband suddenly took the throne as George VI and she became queen. More»

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama’s hands-on encounter with Queen Elizabeth yesterday was not a breach of protocol, Buckingham Palace assures CNN. The two shared a surprising half-embrace, virtually unheard of from Her Highness. “It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation,” the Royal Press Office said. Besides, the reception where the PDA occurred was “an informal occasion.” More»

Reared in feminine household, Henry king became 'emotionally dependent' on women

(NEWSER) - Henry VIII may have been cruel to some of the women in his life, but he was "emotionally dependent" on them, according to a top expert on the oft-married king. Being raised in a feminine household after the death of his dad led Henry to fall in love and marry so many. "He was the only boy and became emotionally dependent on women. Or, to put it more bluntly, he was emotionally incontinent," said historian David Starkey. More»

Praises fellow soldiers, wants to return 'very, very soon'

(NEWSER) - In a revealing interview with the British press, Prince Harry spoke yesterday of his stint in Afghanistan as one of the happiest times of his life, and said he "generally" doesn't "like England that much." The third-in-line to the British throne insisted he's not a hero, and talked emotionally of two wounded soldiers who flew home with him. "Those are the heroes, guys who had been blown up by a mine serving their country. It is a bit of a choke in your throat," he said. More»