I wouldn't call myself a monarchist, but my family has always been much aware of its British heritage. My sister observes Guy Fawkes' Day in her way, and I observe St. George's and St. Andrew's Days in my own quiet way.

Perhaps I may check in on the festivities on Friday. I don't watch much television, so it's entirely possible I may have never heard about the wedding if I didn't visit XMTS with some frequency. I'm fine with the pomp and ceremony, and all that. I'd much rather hear about this than some Hollywood celebrity's wedding. Nevertheless, however much pomp and ceremony there is, however much it costs to put on, and however much tourist revenue it brings in, it's just a wedding, and like any other wedding, the two will have to work at it to keep it alive.

Even though I was very young at the time, I remember another wedding, one that was followed with much (probably more) interest here in the United States, and was often called a "fairytale wedding". Without that wedding there would not be this one, but I sincerely hope this wedding turns out much better than that one.

All that said, what I really don't want to miss on Friday is the final launch of Endeavour.