Prince Charles and Camilla wed ...

At last, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have married. She now becomes HRH The Duchess of Cornwall:

Leaving the Guildhall, Windsor, after their wedding During the Service of Blessing at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle The couple emerge after the Service of Blessing The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall followed by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales during their first public 'walkabout'

The afternoon seemed to be a very happy one for the principal players and for both their families. I am not a fervent monarchist, but I believe the Constitutional Monarchy we do have serves our needs very well and far better than were we to consider having a republican system, with the Head of State very likely becoming a 'political' figure. I think Charles and Camilla make a fine and dignified couple and I hope they are happy. If and when Charles becomes King, then so far as I am concerned the King's wife is the Queen - and Camilla will be Queen, although if she prefers to be called 'Princess Consort' then that will be fine, too. It is probably a long way in the future, but Prince William looks as if he will make a very suitable monarch, in due course, too.

Now, I must go and have just one more glass of champagne; whilst watching the proceedings on television (from which all the images above were taken - the link here to a BBC report gives access to a video of the proceedings), I was supping just a very few glasses of 'bubbly' accompanied by handfuls of pistacchio nuts. It's now time for a late lunch ...