Canadians welcome their future King and Queen

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Ottawa to a rapturous reception, as reported in both Canadian and British media.

The Other Royal Wedding

Meanwhile, the Principality of Monaco is preparing for the wedding of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock this weekend, with no expense being spared. This will be the first wedding of a reigning European sovereign since that of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Silvia Sommerlath in 1976. Miss Wittstock's transition from South African swimmer to Monegasque princess has reportedly not been without obstacles, but that is sure to change should she and the Prince give Monaco her long-awaited heir.

Romanian president attacks king

President Traian Basescu, who for some reason is allowed to consider himself the head of state of Romania, stunned his country with a vicious attack on former King Michael, 89, who is generally well regarded by Romanians, even non-monarchists. Despite the King having deposed the pro-Axis premier in 1944, only to be deposed at gunpoint by the Communists three years later, Basescu attempted to link the King with both the fascists and the Communists. The King and his mother Queen Helen (1896-1982) did all they could to help Jews during the war, but none of that apparently matters to Basescu. Naturally I condemn the traitor Basescu and his appalling remarks totally. King Michael, the world's last surviving adult head of state from the time of World War II, is a good man who does not deserve such calumny; it is he and not this disgusting common liar who should be Romania's leader still. I call on Romanians to rid themselves not only of this horrid president but of all presidents, and show Basescu exactly what they think of his venomous idiocy by restoring the Monarchy!

Canada's young monarchists

On a happier note, The Ottawa Citizen reports on growing support for the monarchy among young Canadians. The Monarchist League of Canada not only helps coordinate and mobilize this support but is vigilant about correcting errors in the media, as with the Telegraph's bizarre and unverified claim that Canadian monarchists' goal is to install Prince Harry as King in Ottawa. This week Canadians will welcome their future King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for their first joint overseas royal tour.

Puritans or Habsburgs

On the occasion of the ninety-seventh anniversary of the assassinations in Sarajevo that provoked the war that all but ended Western Civilisation, this 2007 article "Puritans or Habsburgs" by Paul Gottfried is worth reading, as are Peter Hitchens's reflections (though not specifically monarchist) on what was lost.

Dean of Westminster in New York

Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, who presided at the royal wedding, recently visited New York City to preach at Saint Thomas Church, whose choir school is (along with the Abbey's) one of only two remaining church-affiliated schools exclusively for choristers in the English-speaking world. While in New York he spoke with the Today show about the royal wedding.

The Quiet Royal Wedding

Like another commoner who married into a reigning royal family this year, South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock has waited a long time for her prince to propose. Her wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco on July 2 is unlikely to attract as much media attention as April's, but should still be a splendid event for the principality.