king

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First 'Comprehensive Audit' of King's Wealth Unveiled

Spokesperson calls figures from 'Guardian' a mix of 'speculation, assumption, and inaccuracy'

(Newser) - While he's not in the same league of wealth as the king of Saudi Arabia, the sultan of Brunei, or even the Prince of Liechtenstein, Britain's King Charles III has inherited assets that have inflated his net worth to well over $2 billion, according to the Guardian . The...

Zulu Nation Crowns King
King Accepts Disputed Crown

King Accepts Disputed Crown

Zulu nation holds coronation, though some question succession

(Newser) - The new king of South Africa's Zulu nation, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, was enthroned in a colorful ceremony Saturday before hundreds of supporters in a rural part of KwaZulu-Natal province. The king dismissed those challenging his right to the throne in his first public comments on the issue, the AP reports....

King Bluetooth Lies at Center of an Archaeological Dispute

Archaeologist and researcher say he was buried in Poland, but they don't agree on where

(Newser) - More than 1,000 years after his death in what's now Poland, a European king whose nickname lives on through wireless technology is at the center of an archaeological dispute. Chronicles from the Middle Ages say King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson of Denmark acquired his nickname courtesy of a...

This Man Is About to Become the New Zulu King

South African court paves way for coronation of Prince Misuzulu KaZwelithin

(Newser) - A new Zulu king can be crowned in South Africa after a court settled a dispute Wednesday over whether the prince named as heir to the throne last year had a rightful claim to it. A KwaZulu-Natal high court judge in the city of Pietermaritzburg ruled that Prince Misuzulu KaZwelithini,...

Dutch Royals Won't Use Controversial Golden Coach

At least for the time being, due to its ties to Netherlands' colonial past, slave trade

(Newser) - On Thursday the Dutch king ruled out using, for now at least, the royal family's "Golden Carriage." One side of the carriage bears a painting that critics say glorifies the Netherlands' colonial past, including its role in the global slave trade. The announcement was an acknowledgement of...

She Insulted the King. Now, a Record 43-Year Sentence

Thai ex-civil servant was originally supposed to get 87 years behind bars for violating lese-majeste law

(Newser) - A court in Thailand on Tuesday sentenced a former civil servant to a record prison term of 43 years and six months for breaching the country's strict law on insulting or defaming the monarchy, lawyers said. The Bangkok Criminal Court found the woman guilty on 29 counts of violating...

Royal Drama: A Consort Is Stripped of Her Titles

Thailand's king says Sineenat Bilaskalayani was acting like a queen

(Newser) - Some serious drama is unfolding in Thailand's royal palace: The new king has just demoted and publicly castigated a young woman on whom he had bestowed the coveted ranking of royal consort. Sineenat Bilaskalayani, also known as Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, was apparently acting too much like a queen, reports Bloomberg...

Days Before Coronation Ceremony, a Surprise Queen

Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn announces he's been married to Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn

(Newser) - First an emperor's coronation in Japan; next, one coming up in Thailand. King Maha Vajiralongkorn—who took over the monarchy in 2016 when his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died—will finally have an official coronation ceremony Saturday, and the thrice-divorced leader has a new queen to celebrate with him....

Charles on Why He'll Keep Mouth Shut as King: 'I'm Not That Stupid'

Prince who's vocal on topics like environment says he won't be once he's crowned

(Newser) - When he's not having servants iron his shoelaces , Prince Charles has been accused of "meddling" into hot topics such as the environment by strongly voicing his opinions—not a typical stance for royals to take in public debates. And he's defiant about it, telling a BBC documentary...

After Years of Denial, Ex-King Must Take Paternity Test

Belgium's King Albert II has 3 months to comply or he'll be legally named the father of Delphine Boel

(Newser) - Belgium's former king has to undergo a paternity test. Per the Telegraph , a mandate just handed down by a Brussels appeals court will force King Albert II, who gave up his crown in 2013 so his son Philippe could sit on the throne, to have his saliva tested to...

Facebook's Latest Headache: Video of King in a Crop Top

Content showing tattooed King Maha Vajiralongkorn may violate strict Thai laws

(Newser) - Facebook has had a lot on its plate— fake news , its "heartbreaking" Facebook Live problem —but now it's seeing pressure from Thailand on another front: The ruling military junta is upset about content circulating online of the country's new king strolling around a shopping mall wearing...

Morocco King Makes Unusual Move to Break Impasse

He just ousted the prime minister

(Newser) - In a highly unusual move, Morocco's king has ousted the designated prime minister in an effort to settle a five-month deadlock over forming a new government. A surprise palace statement late Wednesday announced that King Mohammed VI had removed Abdelilah Benkirane, the head of the Islamist party that won...

After Unusual Delay, Rama X Takes His Throne

Maha Vajiralongkorn wanted to mourn his late father, who ruled before him for 70 years

(Newser) - Thailand has a new king, with the country's crown prince formally taking the throne to succeed his much-revered late father, who reigned for 70 years. The new monarch, who received the title "His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun," assumed his new position Thursday, according to an announcement...

Last King of Rwanda Dies in US Exile
Last King of
Rwanda Dies
in US Exile
OBITUARY

Last King of Rwanda Dies in US Exile

King Kigeli V Ndahindurwa lived his older years in 'impoverished obscurity'

(Newser) - Kigeli V Ndahindurwa—the last king of Rwanda, who only sat on the throne for two years (more than a year of that time in exile)—died Sunday morning at the age of 80, the BBC and Foreign Policy report. "He was a devout and dedicated believer and the...

Thailand's People Asked to Avoid 'Joyful' Events

All TV broadcasts switched to black and white in wake of king's death

(Newser) - Thailand has declared a full year of mourning for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was the world's longest-reigning monarch before his death on Thursday at the age of 88. The AP reports that a public holiday was declared Friday, the country's first day without a king in 70 years,...

Landscaper Leaving Canada to Become a King in Ghana

'OK. No problem. I will talk to my boss'

(Newser) - A 32-year-old landscaper is leaving Canada to become the king of a 6,000-person tribe in Ghana, the National Post reports. Eric Manu—who's been living in British Columbia for the past three years—got the surprising phone call in July. “So I said, ‘OK. No problem....

Woman Gets Year in Jail for Ripping Up King's Photo

Human rights activist found guilty of 'insulting' Bahrain's King Hamad

(Newser) - The daughter of a well-known Bahraini human rights activist was sentenced Wednesday to a year in jail for delivering the ultimate insult to her country's king: ripping up a picture of him, Reuters reports. Zainab al-Khawaja, 32, lost her appeal on a conviction for tearing up a photo of...

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Is Dead

Crown Prince Salman will succeed his older brother

(Newser) - The world's No. 1 oil exporter has a new ruler in place: King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died at about age 90 and was immediately replaced by his brother, Crown Prince Salman. Abdullah, ill with pneumonia of late, had ruled officially as king for the last decade, though he...

Scientists Pry Open Coffin of King Murdered in 1160
Scientists Pry Open Coffin
of King Murdered in 1160
in case you missed it

Scientists Pry Open Coffin of King Murdered in 1160

Swedish scientists test DNA of King Erik the Holy

(Newser) - A cathedral chaplain calls it "a very special occasion," though it sounds rather grisly: Swedish researchers yesterday opened an 850-year-old coffin containing the remains of the country's King Erik IX, who was murdered in 1160 and later made a saint, the AP reports. Scientists plan to study...

Why an African King Lives on Public Assistance in Virginia

Rwanda's last royal ruler still yearns to reunite his nation

(Newser) - Figure the last king of Rwanda is living on a swanky estate somewhere in Africa? Try again: Kigeli V Ndahindurwa, who ruled from 1959-61, has spent years living in low-income housing in Virginia, where he likes watching wrestling on TV and handing out candies to kids, reports the Washingtonian . But...

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