Strawberries, crumpets, devon cream, insert British stereotype here. Champagne bottles all over the world are popping and Mimosas are being passed around by bleary eyed Royal watchers from sea to shining sea. The happy ending. The happily ever after. Sealed with a kiss.
Hey, I’m as thrilled as your old Gran that the gorgeous prince William has found the girl of his dreams and I sincerely hope the two will be very happy together. I really do. I remember my own parents waking me up in the wee hours of the morning to watch the last big Royal ‘I do’. Dad and Mumsy raised their Mimosas and I swear I saw a tear roll down my mother’s cheek as Charles and Diana shared a Cinderella worthy kiss on the balcony while millions looked on. Sadly, we also watched as that marriage crumbled into a pile of sadness and scandal followed by the heart wrenching tragedy of Diana’s death. No happy ending. That’s not the way it’s supposed to happen! Which Disney film ends like that?
As a young child, I remember being quite disappointed that I never got to see Snow White and her Prince skip to my loo down the aisle. Imagine my unabashed glee as I watched Cinderella and her Prince descend the palace staircase all decked out in wedded splendor and dodging those confetti throwing mice. Her in white wedding glory and he in his military finest. And they kissed. They kissed! Ah. The happy ending. Is that what we’re waiting for? Is that what’s dragged us out of bed at the crack of dawn? Prince William and Kate are poised to bring us a real live version of the happily ever after we’re desperate to witness – first hand. In a world filled with economic unrest, war and natural disaster, perhaps a happy ending is exactly what we need.
I must admit, I don’t know how much a glass slipper goes for these days but fairy tale weddings come at a very steep price. It’s estimated that these royal nuptials could cost up to 60 million dollars. Yes. 60 million. Seriously! The Royal Family and the Middletons will pick up the tab for most of it but British tax payers are on the hook for street cleaning and security. I suppose it’s a small price to pay when you consider the billion dollars that are being pumped into the British economy. (where else can you get your commemorative Wills and Kate Royal Wedding Condoms? )
Regardless, after more than one stab at the Royal Happy Ending gone bust (remember toe sucking Fergie?), everyone is hopeful that the Prince has found his common girl. The glass slipper fits, the evil nay sayers have been forever banished and they will live Happily Ever After in a land not so far, far away.
So, pass me another glass. Any excuse to pop the champagne bottle before noon is alright by me.
Cheers!
