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Prince Harry voted 'Britain's coolest young royal' on 24th birthday
he third in line to the throne beat his cousin Zara Phillips, brother Prince William and other relatives Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to the coveted title.
Voters cited his recent service, as a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, in Afghanistan, his African charity work and his involvement with the glamorous South African Chelsy Davy as reasons for his appeal. he third in line to the throne beat his cousin Zara Phillips, brother Prince William and other relatives Princesses Beatrice and Eugen... more -
Rushdie receives knighthood
LONDON (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday gave the British author Salman Rushdie a knighthood which caused protests by Muslims around the world when it was announced last year.
Rushdie, 61, was knighted for his services to literature.
When the knighthood was announced in the queen's birthday honours list last June, it sparked condemnation from a number of Muslim countries and organisations.
A Pakistani government minister at one point suggested the award justified suicide bombings.
And Al-Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri warned that the terror network was preparing a "precise response" to Britain's decision to transform Rushdie into "Sir Salman".
In the subsequent furore, British government ministers stressed that they were sorry if people had been upset by the honour, but stressed it was for a lifelong body of work and would not apologise for the award.
"I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way," Rushdie said after the announcement last year.
The Indian-born writer, who was raised as a Sunni Muslim, has lived since 1989 under the shadow of an Iranian fatwa -- or religious decree -- calling for his death over his controversial novel "The Satanic Verses".
The author is accused by some Muslims of blaspheming Islam in the novel, which triggered an international furore when it was first published in 1988.
Rushdie was forced into hiding after Iran's revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued the fatwa calling for his death, claiming his book insulted Islam.
Rushdie was granted a 24-hour police guard but still had to move house repeatedly and could not even tell his children where he lived.
After nearly a decade hiding away, Rushdie began to appear in public more and more, eventually becoming a socialite fixture on the international party circuit.
Following the announcement of Rushdie's knighthood last year, Iran said the death sentence still stands.
"The stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran with regard to this issue has not changed from what was put forward by the Imam Khomeini," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said.
Rushdie's second novel, "Midnight's Children", won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981 and was named the best novel in 25 years of the prize in 1993. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. LONDON (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday gave the British author Salman Rushdie a knighthood which caused protests by Muslims ar... more -
Queen unimpressed by gurner
He may be the world gurning champion but Tommy Mattinson's silliest expression was not quite enough to amuse the Queen, it would seem. The pair came face to face at The Beacon museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria which the Queen officially reopened after a redevelopment. He may be the world gurning champion but Tommy Mattinson's silliest expression was not quite enough to amuse the Queen, it would ... more
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A Royally Great Smooch and Big Hats
"Great Smooch and Big Hats." Queen Elizabeth II has decided to impose a strict dress code at Britain's Ascot race course. The new rules include an insistence that ladies wear a hat or "substantial feather fascinator." This piece includes very humorous photographs presented in fine high-resolution, as well as music audio (God Save the Queen).
Please take a look and have yourself a good chuckle!! "Great Smooch and Big Hats." Queen Elizabeth II has decided to impose a strict dress code at Britain's Ascot race cour... more -
Liz Becomes Britain's Oldest Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's oldest monarch, overtaking her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, although in discreet royal fashion no events were planned to mark the record. Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's oldest monarch, overtaking her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, although in discreet royal... more
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Queen Opens Parliament, Train Station
Busy day for Liz, as she gives her speech to open Parliament, and the revamped St Pancras Station.
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Queen Elizabeth II named glamour icon by Vogue
Well I guess if you wear it with confidence that's gotta count for something. Not many women could pull of that hat and she is older too. I guess after all that, then I can agree. What do you think? Well I guess if you wear it with confidence that's gotta count for something. Not many women could pull of that hat and she is o... more
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The Queen makes British Vogue's "Most Glamourous List"
Despite being more than double the age of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, the Queen has been named alongside such supermodels as one of the worlds most glamorous women.
Bitchin'. Despite being more than double the age of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, the Queen has been named alongside such supermodels as one of ... more
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Queen Elizabeth II
