When Monaco’s reigning monarch Prince Albert married South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock in 2011, she was invariably referred to in the media as a commoner.

Michelle Obama has arrived in Ireland for a 24-hour visit while the G8 summit takes place.

Mrs Brown of the comedy TV series could have a basis in reality — as it turns out that creator Brendan O’Carroll’s grandfather lived next door to a woman of the same name a century ago.