I saw a brief report of this development on this morning's TV news (in the US) and told my wife:

"Those British Mudcat members are going to have LOTS to say today!"

I didn't get down here to BS-land until mid-afternoon, and ~ as I had suspected ~ there has been plenty of discussion.

What do I think? I think the monarchy is outdated, but hold no grudge against members of the royal family. I have long been aware of Charles' various charitable projects, and so have many other Americans.

These two should have gotten married many years ago, and while they share some of the blame for backing off from each other for whatever political reasons, I see them as basically pawns in someone else's game, or at least as having been at the mercy of forces larger than themselves as individuals. Homely or not, their mutual attraction and relationship speaks for itself after so many years.