That Wedding

A gem from today's Independent:

News: "The wedding was a fairytale ending to a fine romance. The groom looked dashing as he stood outside the Guildhall in Windsor yesterday afternoon; the bride was radiant. They paid no heed to the world's press, gathered in their hundreds. Nor did they care that their plans had been disrupted by the death and funeral of the Pope. Their day could not even be spoilt by the visibly heavy security presence in the town. They understood that it was necessary, for the eyes of the world were on Windsor yesterday.

Major Thomas Nigel Crapper of the Royal Signals married Deborah Jane Biltcliffe in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall. They kissed for the photographers on the steps as they emerged as man and wife.

The bride and bridegroom are both 34 years old. They were both marrying for the first time. After a hog roast supper at the Biltcliffe family home in Cookham, Berkshire, they left for a honeymoon in Rome.

The new Mrs Crapper, who has let it be known that she would prefer to be addressed as 'Debs', said the couple intended to live in Bath and have what they describe as 'lots of little Crappers'.

There were three other weddings at the Guildhall yesterday: Mr Fraser Moores of Windsor, Berkshire, married Ms Grace Beesley; Mr James Hooper of St Albans, Herts, married Ms Nadine Hopkins; and HRH Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor, Prince of Wales, married Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles."

The Independent seldom gives space on its pages to stories about the royal family, a stance I think admirable. Our ongoing soap opera gives the world plenty of titillation, but in my opinion is nothing but an embarrassment for the British people. Am a republican at heart.

Having said that, I'm happy that the wedding went ahead - everyone deserves their shot at happiness ... and doesn't Camilla scrub up quite well?

Yes, surprised myself by being glued to the TV for the duration, channel hopping from the BBC (reverential) to CNN (clearly taking the piss) and back again.