Colin Montgomery: Royal engagement is not our crowning glory

Hurrah for the big news of the year! Yes, my daughter's getting some sport goggles after a horror-show smash in the coupon during her school's latest crunch match last Saturday seriously did for her glasses. Sorry, what was that? An engagement you say? I know not of what you speak.

Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle announce their engagement. Picture: Getty

Seriously, it never ceases to amaze to see the shameless brown-nosing, gushing and general toadying that accompanies any royal announcement of note – be that an engagement, a marriage, a pregnancy or a new kennel for one of the corgis. The standard response to such a complaint is to be cast as some bitter republican, fit only to be sniffed at, like some modern-day Willie Hamilton.

Truth is, my views on the validity of a royal family and its relevance to the trials and tribulations in a UK suffering a nervous breakdown, economically and politically, have nothing to do with this.

If you ever want to engage me on that over a pint of Old St James down the Queen’s Head, I’d be only too happy to argue my case – without prejudice or malice.

Most people wish Harry and Meghan well. But numpties declaring it “great news for the nation” is a joke. If you want the true measure of those who take an unhealthy interest in such things, check out the comment threads on some of the more “patriotic” English national newspapers. They’re a sewer of Blimpish attitudes, snobbery and downright nastiness. Hardly our crowning glory.