Van, you haven't read what I said. Re-read the first couple of lines of my post and you'll see I agree with what you say on the British lineage of the royals. There are common threads that go back centuries, but they're very remote connections indeed.

As for "commoners" - well, it's all relative, but the likes of Diana and now Kate whatsername are, although distinctly posh, not of the sort of royal descent that would once have been expected for a potential queen. It's a step towards broadening the monarchy, which may be a good thing.

Marje