Kermit, I think, would have been included as a gesture of affection towards Americans.

The Carnival in the Mall they had today looked a lot more fun than what I saw of the concert - it was on the TV in the pub with the volume turned down while we were playing today, and it looked great, with all the Notting Hill floats and that.

I can't say the younger royals looked the least discomfited in any shots I saw of them. No, I can't see a republic for a very long time.

One thing that struck me though was, it was good to see a big event that didn't have any commercial sponsorship in sight, in contrast to the stuff round the Millennium.