Wedding bells have not always heralded happiness for the royal family. The Queen has seen two of her sons and her only daughter divorce.

But the omens look better for Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones. The Prince is only too aware of how his brothers married in haste and repented in public. Edward's response has been to conduct his courtship of Miss Rhys-Jones at a stately pace. Over five years, they have built a life together on the firm foundations of friendship.

The time was right to put their relationship on a more formal footing. We were delighted as, we are sure, were the majority of the British public by the news of their engagement today.

A royal wedding will lift the nation's spirits and bring joy to Buckingham Palace. The venue is traditionally Westminster Abbey. But we would like to invite the couple to consider York Minster instead.

This is already an exciting year for the Minster, as it prepares for the Millennium Mystery Plays. A royal wedding would make it really special.

And the Minster has a charmed record. The last royal wedding there was between the Duke of Kent and Katharine Worsley in 1961. And that marriage prospers to this day.

See NEWS 'Sophie's choice'

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