I remember getting up early to watch Charles and Diana. Such pageantry! I wish them well.

I was listening to Harry Smith doing a phone interview of a "Royal expert" this morning, and I had to laugh. Sometimes our British friends have a way with words. When asked what kind of woman the Royals would want for a wife for William, and she said, well they certainly wanted a marriage that would last, and they would want......someone who wouldn't scare the horses! I took that to mean, someone who was attractive. LOL Both of these young people are 28 and have known each other for quite a while, and I do wish them well. I'ts too bad his Mother couldn't be here to see him marry.

Good for them -- I wish them all the best!

Yes, I wish them well also.

I am sure my invitation will be in the mail shortly. :) Uh oh. I might scare the horses. :(

It's funny this story is all over the news this morning. I heard about it on the net weeks ago...so this must be the formal announcment to the press.

did they show her ring? said she'd be able to wear tons of jewels from diana's legacy, but you know i don't know if i could...and i'm sure wills wouldn't use his mother's engagement ring...

did they announce the wedding site? heard they want low-key but room for the required guests...wonder if harry will be best man?

i love watching royal weddings. THis time I'll make my boys watch, too. :0)

Times have changed. Remember they had a doc examine Di to make sure she was a virgin? They're very open about living together. 30 years makes a difference. I think they're a gorgeous couple and will have beautiful children. They were wise to wait as long as they did to marry.

This girl has staying power! They've been together since first year college -- will be at least ten years by the time they wed, which I gather will be July 29, 2011 -- the anniversary of the prince's parents' wedding at St. Paul's.

Has anyone else thought it odd that the prince doesn't *look at* his fiancee in the photos shown in the media?

(I don't think anyone cared if Diana was a virgin. It WAS important that she could 'produce' heirs.)

Good news. What a sweet couple. I loved his mother and remember her wedding well.

William gave Kate his mother's oval sapphire and diamond engagement ring saying that way she wouldn't miss out on the day ... or something along those lines.

I've been so excited about this news! I heard it about 5 a.m. on the TV. Yes, I'm an unashamed Angliophile, but I'm always excited about luuuuvvvvv, and proposals, and young people stepping out into the unknown of matrimony.

I hope they're as happy as they appear; I hope their marriage is blessed with life-enduring love; I hope they find comfort and joy and companionship with one another.

And I hope the wedding is "grand" and I get to watch every minute of it that they choose to share.

I'm right there with you Caroline...I remember getting up at o dark thirty to watch Diana and Charles marry...I think their a beautiful couple and wish them years of happiness...I don't think Will will ever let Kate be treated like Diana was!

Chisue - I'm attaching a link to a picture of him looking at her. If you scroll to the slideshow at the bottom, there are quite a few more. My guess is that with all the papparazzi around, they can hardly concentrate.

Here is a link that might be useful: MSNBC article with picture

Charles & Diana were married shortly after my husband and I and William & Harry are close in age to my oldest two.

It was incredibly sweet of him to give Diana's ring to Katie. I believe the female monarchs actually have access to the "Crown Jewels" (don't they keep them locked up in the Tower of London)? So they don't actually own them personally, but gosh, what a great place to "borrow" from, for all the Royal outings!

I can't imagine wanting to marry into all that, but I wish them well. I agree, so sad that Diana will not be there to see her oldest get married. I heard they are doing some very nice things in the ceremony to honor her.

I'll never forget the wedding of Diana and Charles, all the pomp, her long,long train. We woke up early on a workday to watch it on TV.

lindy_anna -- Do you mean the posed picture taken at the announcement? (Where she is wearing his mother's ring.?)

I'm talking about the 'candids' where they are at events together. I've only seen one where he was looking in her direction. Maybe he is always overly careful due to the massive coverage they all endure, but it just struck me as odd. I'd think in *some* of those snaps we'd see him with an affectionate gaze.

I think they are a sweet couple. Some day she will be the Queen of England.

I wish the best for both of them. I think the royal family learned some lessons with Diana and Fergie. Hopefully Kate and William will have less struggles.

Put me in the "I Love To Watch Royal Weddings" group too.

The news reported that the palace has asked a few venues to hold the first two weeks of August for now.

"Times have changed. Remember they had a doc examine Di to make sure she was a virgin? They're very open about living together. 30 years makes a difference."

I'm sure I read somewhere, a long time ago, prior to Charles and Diana being married, that virginity was a requirement. The purpose of this requirement was so that there wouldn't be any possibility of potential embarrassment later on - no one would be able to come out with any wild stories, etc.

Since William and Kate have been together for so long, I'm sure the Royals have thoroughly vetted her by now.

I'm sure I read that, too, Lindsey. Cause I remember thinking how many virgin brides I knew. LOL