April Fools: The Queen, Scottish Independence and One Direction Included in Best Media Pranks

April Fools The Sun — The Sun claimed Buckingham Palace lawns were going to be dug up to make way for drills for fracking The Sun

Fracking at Buckingham Palace, Alex Salmond adorning pound coins and One Direction banned from North Korea, it can only mean one thing: April Fools day.

In what has become a media tradition, some of the nation's biggest issues - as well as some smaller ones too - have been lampooned by publications.

Some - including the The Sun's 'exclusive' that fracking was to commence at the lawns of Buckingham Palace - were more obvious to spot than others.

Here are some that caught IBTimes UK's eye this morning:

April Fool ITV — ITV's Daybreak came up with this egg-celent story about square eggs @NickDixon8

ITV's Daybreak came up with this well-hatched story about chickens that have been laying square eggs.

April Fool The Independent — UN peacekeepers were at the ready if Scotland became independent, according to The Independent The Independent

Scottish independence was a familiar theme throughout publications' attempts to fool the public. The Independent took on a more sabre-rattling approach, claiming UN peacekeepers would be on hand if the Scots voted for independence.

April Fools The Mirror — One Direction have been banned from playing a show in North Korea, apparently. The Mirror

Following on from last week's story that North Korean students have been forced to have their hair cut like leader Kim Jong-un, The Mirror claimed One Direction must do likewise if they ever wanted to enter the country.

April Fool The Express — Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are to share the Emirates Stadium, said The Express The Express

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur fans awoke to the news that the two north London rivals would be sharing the Gunners' Emirates Stadium.

April Fool The Telegraph — The Telegraph put Alex Salmond on a pound coin in its attempt to stir nationalist feelings The Telegraph

The Telegraph may have committed the ultimate act of treachery - depending on your view of Scottish independence - replacing the Queen with Alex Salmond on a pound coin.

April Fool The Guardian — Liberal Thom Yorke was set to join up with right wing zealot Ted Nugent for a pro-hunting musical The Guardian

Radiohead front man, and known liberal, Thom Yorke was set to join US right-wing gun nut Ted Nugent for a pro-hunting musical, scooped The Guardian.

April Fool East Grinstead Courier — The East Grinstead Courier reignited the debate over whom should occupy £5 notes East Grinstead Courier

Local titles got in on the act as well, and the East Grinstead Courier's banishment of Elizabeth Fry would have no doubt raised some feminist eye brows - not to mention the pop star's.

April Fool Crawley — West Sussex town Crawley was expecting to welcome George Clooney as its panto star Crawley News

West Sussex town Crawley seemed to have secured a coup in securing the services of Oscar-winner George Clooney for its annaul panto.

April Fools Daily Mail — The Daily Mail claimed secret Government papers revealed the Union Jack was in for a makeover if Scotland voted yes Daily Mail

The Daily Mail revealed how Government papers said the Union Jack would undergo a makeover if Scotland voted yes in its independence referendum.

The Sun's exclusive that Buckingham Palace was going to become a fracking site was quickly pointed out as an imposter.

April Fool Leatherhead — Leatherhead was reportedly going to get the purr-fect statue to rival Dorking's 10 foot cockerel Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser

The Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser mocked up an image showing how one of the town's roundabouts could look if plans for a "20ft Chinese-style lucky cat" got the go-ahead.

Scottish Independence Alex Salmond North Korea Arsenal FC