From The Daily Kate:

Charles Miranda, a columnist with Australia’s AdelaideNow, published an editorial on May 27 detailing the reasons that Prince William and Kate Middleton should get married now — mostly so that low spirits can be raised during the tough global economic crisis.

Miranda writes, “The nation is looking for good news. A royal engagement will wipe away years of misery compounded by floods and flu, terrorist plots, widespread parliamentary corruption and a crippling recession that has seen record levels of unemployment, home repossessions and company collapses.”

And, he points out, royal weddings have successfully helped to boost national morale in past times of trouble.  “The national psyche was lifted further in post-war austerity-hit Britain when then-Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in November, 1947, and the mood was royally boosted again in 1981 with the fairytale wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in the middle of a recession under Margaret Thatcher’s government,” he explains.

Read more at AdelaideNow.

Infanta Cristina of Spain and husband Iñaki Urdangarin attend the first communion of their niece, Victoria de Marichalar y de Borbon, with sons Pablo and Juan, who also had their first communions this month  (27 May 2009)

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain make an official visit to Colombia (27 May 2009)

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden’s walk down the aisle in June 2010 will be set to a brand-new piece of music, composed by her former piano teacher.

Ingemar Thorell has composed a special piece of music for the wedding, which he says will be titled “The Crown Princess’s March.”

EarthTimes explains, “The piece is infuenced by traditional folk music from the province of Dalarna where Thorell hails from. Fittingly, some ancestors of Victoria’s future husband, Daniel Westling, also trace their roots to the region.”

The piece must first be approved by the couple before it is added to the service.

Read more at EarthTimes.

Charlotte Casiraghi and boyfriend Alex Dellal whisper together at the Formula One Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, Monaco (23 May 2009)