Viscount Linley

Viscount Linley is the son of the late Princess Margaret and the 1st Earl of Snowdon. He is also the nephew of Queen Elizabeth II, and grandson of King George VI. The title Viscount Linley is a courtesy title used by the eldest son and heir general of the Earl of Snowdon.

In late October 2007, UK newspapers reported that Linley wanted to go public about a blackmail case in which Ian Strachan, 30, and Sean McGuigan, 40, demanded £50,000 to prevent the release of a damaging video. Allegedly, the video showed a male royal aide engaging in sexual acts and snorting cocaine with the viscount.

Strachan and McGuigan were arrested at a Hilton Hotel by undercover police, and despite strict gag orders placed on the British press, which prevented them from identifying the viscount to the public, newspapers in the United States and Australia did.

The royal family have since kept Linley from further discussing the incident, even preventing him from testifying in court. Married with children, Linley has denied all allegations regarding the video. Fast Facts:

1. October 28, 2007: The UK's Sunday Times newspaper ran a story about an attempted blackmail on a member of the royal family. Viscount Linley is rumored to be the royal in question
2. 2006: Linley received bad press for his decision to auction 800 of his mother's possessions. Linley says it was done to pay the £3m death duties on his mother's estate
3. Twelfth in the line to the British throne - and consequently had body guards when he was younger as he occupied a high position in the line of succession
4. He was born at Clarence House in London
5. Age three: ears pinned back surgically

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