A family like any other, almost

He fought bravely against insurgents in Afghanistan and is a bit of a larrikin with a big heart; she acted well, playing a lawyer in Suits. They prefer donations to charity to wedding gifts.

Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle are a mix of A-list glitz and apparent ordinariness that fascinates the world, judging by the fact their wedding today will be watched by a billion people. In reality they’re far from ordinary, even though he proposed over home-cooked roast chicken. And her family, like those of many brides and grooms, has given them plenty of angst before the big day.

Sixty-five years into the second Elizabethan age, royalty retains its mystique. In Australia, constitutional monarchists and republicans alike will be glued to coverage of tonight’s pageantry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Historic hatches, matches and dispatches have been celebrated and commemorated there since the 14th century. This pair, like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family, have won the affection of younger generations, which augurs well for the monarchy. Like any couple tying the knot, we wish them a long, happy and fulfilling life together.