A regal tragedy

Their Royal Highnesses King Gavin and Queen Carla of Tofflitania may look happy and radiant in this photograph, but the story behind it is a sad one. Fleeing a coup, the noble pair were en route to a secret tower in the midst of Goo Swamp where they hoped to wait out the political turmoil for nine years, after which time they could probably just about produce an heir without social workers becoming involved.

Of course, as any student of Tofflitanian history knows, the fine-looking horse on which they made their escape was actually a quisling steed comprised of a couple of mercenaries in the pay of Bad Prince Larry. The wicked duo's disguise was so realistic and compelling that the King and Queen quickly grew to love and trust the fake animal, which they named Thunderthighs. In fact, they trusted Thunderthighs so much that they made neither fuss nor protest as their mount carried them, at a gentle canter, across a stony beach and into the sea. Once the regal children were safely drowned, the treacherous rebels sloughed off their disguise, changed into scuba gear and made for the coast of the newborn republic.

This famous image, taken in a photobooth at a café in Goo Swamp, is to be used on the new €10 note from 2009.