Prince William and Kate Middleton to Marry in 2011

The ring worn by Lady Diana Spencer

Finally Prince William has done what all the romantics in the world have been waiting for and the beautiful Sapphire and Diamond ring of the 1980's Princess Diana is once again in the news!! Poignant memories of the very shy Lady Di are revived with the sight of the huge sapphire surrounded by diamonds that Prince Charles gave to Lady Diana Spencer in February 1981.

Prince William and Kate Middleton met at university in Scotland and have known each other for 9 years.  Although there have been a couple of hiccups along the way they have forged a solid and respected relationship.  Earlier, Prince Charles said he was "thrilled, obviously", at the news, joking: "They've been practising long enough."  Speaking about their relatively long courtship, William said: "I didn't realise it was a race, otherwise I probably would have been a lot quicker.  Miss Middleton added: "We have been going out a long time. We had spoken about our future and it just seemed the natural step for both of us."

Same ring nearly 30 years on!

So are we in for a long engagement?  Apparently not - the couple are set to marry next year in the Spring or Summer. He carried the ring around for 3 weeks whilst trying to decide on when and where to propose and the result is we are going to be treated to a Royal extravaganza next year!!

The marriage will be taking place 30 years after Williams parents.in 1981 and although expressions of "surprise" have been reported it has also been said that the couple had discussed marriage in more recent months.

This writer wonders what kind of wedding this will be.  The 1981 wedding of Williams parents was a pageant of colour, fashion, pomp and ceremony and its interesting to speculate on how a modern royal bride will attack this.  Will Kate Middleton just go all out for the "fairytale" or will style and good sense prevail for a lower key and more elegant version.  Perhaps she will not even have a say in it.  Hopefully in these times of recession too much flagrant waste of money will be deemed to be lacking in taste and sensitivity.  However, we do want some kind of spectacle don't we?  After all one has to consider the tourist trade.  If anything was designed to bring in the Americans its a Royal Wedding.

Tonight dress designers, cake makers, stationary designers and many more will not be able to sleep.  For my part - I will sleep really well.