Britain's royal family publishes strict social media guidelines

Britain's royal family on Monday issued strict new social media guidelines for the official online accounts of Queen Elizabeth II and others.

Social media posts on Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace feeds may be hidden, deleted and even reported to police to help create a "safe environment", an official statement on the royal family's official website declared.

"We ask that anyone engaging with our social media channels shows courtesy, kindness and respect for all other members of our social media communities," the statement noted.

"We reserve the right to hide or delete comments made on our channels, as well as block users who do not follow these guidelines. We also reserve the right to send any comments we deem appropriate to law enforcement authorities for investigation as we feel necessary or is required by law, it added.

The new rules follow reports that palace staff have been struggling to cope with a flood of rude online messages, so-called trolling, aimed .