Prince William has confirmed he will marry Kate Middleton next year

[phipps]

I wonder if we will get a Bank Holiday for it.

Thing is, many people get little perks from being associated with the royals, and it can be quite cool at times. Like being associated with any major upmarket sleb.

But a modern monarchy would send its children to state schools more often, be seen in NHS hospitals within reason, go out and about food shopping and the like a bit more, and generally scale down its Edwardian lifestyle.

IMVHO. Ma'am.

I think it's more than a 'little perk' - there are many for whom mixing in the 'right' social circles and knowing the 'right' people is terribly important, and if you can be seen to associate with royalty then you've achieved the ultimate accolade.

I'd love to see a modernised monarchy (if we absolutely have to keep them) - and whilst we're at it, could we do away with the whole stupid duke/count/earl thing please? Who bloody cares?

I don't care what title people have as long as they don't keep pratting about being boring about it and thinking it gives them carte blanche to be arseholes.

Sadly think there's too much arseholing - and too much expectation of preferential treatment.

Vive la revolution!

LOL Emma Bridgewater have William and Kate mugs, with the date of the announcement. Mine and DH's wedding anniversary.

So...who wants to be a princess, anyway? I'm torn between thinking it would be awesome and thinking that it would just make me more inspired to pursue a career outside the home than EVER before...

I'd rather help pay for a Royal wedding that will bring some money into our economy than the money wasted on Holyrood and the Welsh Assembly.

Ah, but at least these were elected wastes of money

I'm not English but I thought the news of the engagement was wonderful, great to hear good news these days, and thought maybe we (Ireland) could do with a royal family to cheer us up like that. I think Kate seems to be a really lovely girl, she has behaved impeccably for 8 long years which in this age of mobile phone cameras etc can't have been easy. I have to admire how she has behaved and dressed. I also thought they came accross very well on the Sky interview and William certainly looked after her. Re the ring, well I thought that was extra special his mothers ring is priceless emotionally and financially, and I'm sure she will wear it with pride. I think her parents have every right to feel very proud, although I cant even imagine the pressure of being mother of the bride at that wedding! It must be really hard to have your dd exposed to so many comments by people who don't know her and unfortunately her whole family will be under constant scrutiny from now on, I don't envy them. In relation to her working, I really don't see how it would have been possible for her to hold down a 'proper job' over the last few years with the media interest in her, and in fairness if your parents could offer you employment wouldn't you take it? I think England should be proud of Kate, she reminds me of Queen Rania (sp) of Jordan. I hope they continue to look after each other and be true to each other.

UK Another, it's the UK, not just England. They are our monarchy too (unfortunately)

Anyone want to join in the KateandWillSmug competition to win Swiss chocolate? Over here - open to the Bah-Humbug-Brigade too.

In fact, those who are against all the fuss of the wedding will have good chances to win as their family and friends are likely to notice a Will and Kate mug in their house.

I will win. In fact, I shall wipe the floor with you all (and my W&K dishcloth)

How can William marry Kate?

It's not like they are remotely related.

Kate looks steely and in control to me. William seems a bit clueless and vulnerable to me, I think she's his rock.

Re: the family business. I worked in a small one and know others that do. If those at the top are close relatives it's generally a much easier ride. It's far more 'dog eat dog' in the real world. The daughter of my boss would work alternate days and often begin work around 11.30am. Of course not every family business is like that but if those that love you dearly are at the helm it usually makes things more pleasant than they might be elsewhere.

In Kate's case I can see that other paid employment would be difficult for her. Good luck to both of them.

If Chelsy was in Kate's position would she agree to give up her position as a lawyer? Perhaps she'd have no choice?

And yet all the other young royals in the UK manage it

'and thought maybe we (Ireland) could do with a royal family to cheer us up like that.'

Never mind all those people who gave their lives to throw them out, or the millions of people who starved to death or were forced to flee due the effects British rule had on them.

Never mind the Royals Expat - Oliver Cromwell wasn't exactly the saviour of Ireland either.

Is Oliver Cromwell 'ruling' the country and about to fleece us for the cost of a wedding?

No. He's dead. It's that Cameron bloke now.

What - Cameron's getting married??

Oliver Cromwell was a blip on the 400-year continuum that was British occupation and exploitation of Ireland. Hardly a reason to justify the continued scrounging of this anti-Catholic German 'royal' family. Even the Germans got rid of this royalty rubbish.

I can't imagine the Republic of Ireland would find these anti-Catholic German usurpers lording it over them at the countrymens' expense a reason to be cheerful.

Oh, yippee! Another thing to pay for when you're all destitute. Don't forget to courtesy now.

Expat - what have you got against Germans? 'Even the Germans...'?! I lose more money on the horses than I give to the queen. She can have my 63p or whatever it is. The Royals do have other sources of income - hard to miss them really.

Nothing. I don't believe in monarchy. At all. Ever.

Oh well. There is a lot of evidence they exist.

I can't see what the problem is these days.