First the Engagement

Unless you have been living in North Korea, Prince William FINALLY announced his engagement. The people here are generally going crazy over it. The night the engagement was announced, there was wall to wall coverage on the BBC -- the Irish fiscal crisis (which threatens to take down the Euro and maybe even the EU) got barely a mention.

I am (small r) republican in philosophy. While living here as I have for the past year plus has not turned me into a monarchist, I must admit I understand why the people are so taken with this. It is a piece of purely good news. But it is more than just simply two young people getting married. Rather, it is a chance for the British to celebrate their history.

It goes beyond celebrity. Yes, William is famous merely because he is second in line for a throne (he can trace his family back to the Saxon kings of England). Yet unlike the celebrity culture that has grown up, he and his brother, do seem to be dutiful young men. William is an RAF helicopter pilot. While he will not be given his wish to serve in Afghanistan (Harry has) William is engage in a dangerous occupation as a search and rescue pilot -- he is not sitting around on his hands yelling at servants.

So Rule Britannia and good luck William.