Members of broadcast media give live reports across St. Mary's Hospital exclusive Lindo Wing in London

As the Duchess of Cambridge goes into labour, there is one group of people for whom the event is, arguably, even more exciting than it is for the actual Royal Family. They are the royal watchers, self-appointed royal experts who'll go without sleep and food to make sure that not a single moment of 24-hour news coverage is unadorned with royal trivia. But who are these brave men and women?

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Sybrina Fulton takes the stand during George Zimmerman’s trial in Sanford, Florida

The mother of Trayvon Martin ‘stunned’ by verdict

The mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager who was shot dead in Florida last year by volunteer neighbourhood-watch member George Zimmerman, has said she was “stunned” and felt “disgust” when a jury found her son’s killer not guilty.

Firefighter massages kitten back to life after lifeless animal is left in a burnt-out house

The resuscitation was captured on the firefighter's helmet camera

Venturi with the Presidents Cup in 2000, when he was the winning captain

Ken Venturi: Champion golfer and respected broadcaster

The golfer Ken Venturi, who died in hospital in Rancho Mirage, California on 10 May at the age of 82, was a former US Open champion who went on to become an admired broadcaster. He won 14 times on the PGA Tour and had ben inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame only 11 days ago.

Boston bombing suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, left 'collateral damage' note in boat

The surviving suspect in the Boston marathon bombings left a note claiming responsibility for the attack, which he said was in retribution for the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it has emerged.

An employee's finished Rapid Realty tattoo

Sure, you can have a pay rise - just get a company logo tattoo

Some employees of a real estate company in New York are really pushing the meaning of 'company loyalty', by voluntarily being inked with the company's logo.

Angus T Jones out of Two and a Half Men for branding series 'filth' - but Ashton Kutcher is set to return

Hit American sitcom Two and a Half Men has been commissioned for its 11 series. But just five months after urging viewers to turn it off and branding it "filth" the show's Half Man will no longer make regular appearances.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, one of the Boston bombing suspects

Making sense of the Boston bombing suspects: Tamerlan Tsarnaev 'was nothing out of the ordinary, a friendly giant'

Locals struggle to explain the bomber suspects’ motives

CBS Twitter account apparently hacked by Syrian Electronic Army

One tweet accuses Barack Obama of trying to 'take away your guns'

Changing of the guard: late-night hosts Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon to replace Jay Leno as Tonight show host after 22-year stint

The landscape of America’s late-night television is about to shift, after Jay Leno, host of NBC’s Tonight show for 22 years, confirmed he would depart in spring 2014, to be replaced by the more youthful Jimmy Fallon.

Full stream ahead as Netflix and Disney give a vision of the future

Multi-year deal will see online movie provider become exclusive US subscription service for the legendary studio. By Tim Walker

One dead as helicopter crashes at Bahamas millionaires' playground resort

One person was killed and four others injured when a helicopter carrying five American passengers crashed in a Bahamas millionaires' playground resort.

Elementary, my dear: US 'Sherlock' remake extended to 22 episodes

The American remake of British drama Sherlock will be extended into a 22 episode season to be broadcast on CBS.

Stevie Nicks confirms Fleetwood Mac reunion

Iconic Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks confirmed on American television today that the band is planning a 2013 reunion tour.

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Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

The great war photographer was not one person but two. Their pictures of Spain's civil war, lost for decades, tell a heroic tale
The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

Someone, somewhere has to write speeches for world leaders to deliver in the event of disaster. They offer a chilling hint at what could have been
Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Think comedy’s a man's world? You must be stuck in the 1980s, says Holly Williams
Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

The Dr Feelgood guitarist talks frankly about his terminal illness
Lure of the jingle: Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life

Lure of the jingle

Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life
Who stole the people's own culture?

DJ Taylor: Who stole the people's own culture?

True popular art drives up from the streets, but the commercial world wastes no time in cashing in
Guest List: The IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Guest List: IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
They think it's all ova: Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

With its own Tiger Woods - South Korea's Inbee Park - the women's game has a growing audience
10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

Here are the potential stars of the World Championships which begin on Saturday
The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end