Prince William and his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton announced in London on Tuesday that they will marry in 2011. I'm of two minds over the news. The practical, sensible part of me thinks, "Who cares what this pair does? The monarchy should be abolished! The ensuing three-ring circus of a wedding will be a huge waste of public money." And yet my sentimental side thinks, "How lovely that this poor boy, who lost his precious mother when he was so young, has now found happiness. God bless them. I can't wait to see her wedding dress. And the flowers! Oh the romance of it all makes me swoon." Likewise, I can go either way on Will's choice of ring. Like, really? You chose to give your bride-to-be your mother's wedding ring? Remember how your parents went through the most public and humiliating divorce of recent times? You want to present your ladyfriend with a token of their love? But then I read this in an article, Prince William engaged to Kate Middleton, on the CBC news site:

"The couple showed off the engagement ring that belonged to William's mother — Diana, the late Princess of Wales — amid the bright flash from cameras during a crowded news conference on Tuesday. The ring is an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds. "It is very special to me. It was my way to make sure my mother did not miss out on today and the excitement that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together," William said."

Well, only the hardest of hearts don't soften after reading that. I have to say, the sentimental, swoony part of me is winning out. I can see myself abandoning my senses and being swept up in royal wedding fever. What about you? How do you feel about the news? Are you unabashedly excited, do you have reservations, or are you downright disinterested? Post a comment and let me know.