Queen Elizabeth II
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You can buy a gold-plated Wii originally made for the Queen
A 24 karat gold Wii intended for Queen Elizabeth II is now up for auction, if you have deep pockets.
Deepfake Queen Elizabeth II will deliver 'alternative' Christmas message (updated)
Just about every year since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has delivered a Christmas address to the masses, and 2020 will be no different. Shortly after she gives her remarks, however, British broadcaster Channel 4 will air an “alternative message” from the Queen, brought to life by deepfake software and an actress with a pseudo-regal affect. “On the BBC, I haven’t always been able to speak plainly and from the heart,” the “Queen” said in a promo posted to the broadcaster’s Twitter.
The Queen's Christmas message will be available on Alexa for the first time
Queen Elizabeth will deliver her Christmas Day message on smart speakers for the first time through Alexa.
Netflix's first UK original is about the Queen and it's coming in 2016
It's been rumored for months, but Netflix has finally confirmed that it's working on its first original TV series from the UK. Given its origins, it should come as no surprise that the show is about none other than the Queen, exploring her relationships with some of Britain's most infamous Prime Ministers. Whether this heralds a future of possible UK-specific shows on the weather and crumpets remains to be seen, but what we do know is that it's called The Crown and will be based on a West End play called The Audience. It'll premiere as a 10-episode mini-season in 2016 and while the cast is still a closely guarded secret, Netflix revealed that Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) is directing, Andy Harries (The Queen) is producing and Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) is one of the show's writers. Given their combined experience with royalty-themed movies, not to mention the six Academy Award nominations shared between them, it's fair to say this trio have a pretty good shot of delivering something you'll want to binge-watch with a fresh cup of tea.
Steve Jobs' knighthood rejected by Gordon Brown?
As a loyal iPod user, you'd have thought that Queen Elizabeth II would have seen fit to bestow an honorary knighthood on a certain Steven Paul Jobs by now. After all, Sir Bill received his back in 2005 even though his company couldn't quite get its cellphone or tablet strategies to stick with consumers. According to an anonymous senior Labour MP who left Parliament in the last election, Jobs had reached the final stages of approval for "services to technology" only to be rejected in 2009 by the then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Why? Well, according to The Telegraph, Jobs had the audacity to turn down an offer to speak at Labour's annual conference. In retaliation we hear that Apple is holding Jony Ive -- himself, an honorary Commander of the British Empire -- hostage in an infinitely looping orange grove somewhere in northern California. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Queen dons Swarovski-encrusted 3D glasses, shows us how bling is done
It's a tough life being a monarch nowadays. The halcyon times of extravagant debauchery and debauched extravagance are all but over, having been replaced by expectations of stoicism and perfectly measured hand waving. Trying to subvert this trend of royals boring us to tears, Britain's Queen has come out with a pair of Q-emblazoned 3D glasses that frankly redefine the way we look upon bling. Articulated with some good old Swarovski crystals, the spectacular spectacles were thought up by her majesty's dresser, Angela Kelly, and were brought out during a state visit to Toronto's Pinewood Studios. Now the only question left is which gangster rapper will try to outdo Queenie from the block?
President Obama offers iPod to the Queen of England
No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. President Obama met today at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, and our forward thinking commander-in-chief brought along a little tech for gifting purposes. Obama presented Elizabeth II with an iPod containing video from her 2007 visit to the States. In return, the first family received what is apparently a standard present for visiting dignitaries to the Palace -- a silver-framed photo of the Queen and her husband. At a glance, it seems like Obama has a thing for gadgets (and related media); he recently handed off a set of DVDs featuring classic American films to Prime Minister Gordon Brown... who was unable to play them due to incorrect region encoding. Regardless, the Queen appears pleased with the music player, telling the President during their 25 minute tea that she "Finally has something to listen to [her] Pantera records on."
