"Storybook romance" may be overused, especially by newly engaged couples convinced theirs is the best | relationship | ever. But the phrase "storybook romance" definitely fits this news: A dashing Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, destined to be crowned king of England, will marry longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton. She accepted his proposal and ring while they visited Kenya in Africa. That is how to be romantic, guys.

Prince William, eldest son of Prince Charles and grandson of Queen Elizabeth, acknowledged: "I had done some planning to show my romantic side." His fiancee, who has middle-class roots, added in a British TV interview last week: "It was a total shock and very exciting."
The 18-carat diamond ring itself is highly sentimental: It originally was given to Princess Diana by Prince Charles when they became engaged in 1981. William asked for it after her 1997 death in a Paris car crash. He said last week the ring represents a time his parents were happy, adding: "It's it's very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now, as well." (It's OK to say aww. . . now.)

Though the pair are in line to be called king and queen, that won't happen soon. After Queen Elizabeth, now 84, steps down or dies in office, Charles becomes king. He's currently 62 years old. William, 28, will gain his father's title eventually. First comes a -- yes -- storybook wedding with a date and place still to be determined. It'll be quite the blowout, naturally, and already is being treated in Britain as a welcome break from news of budget cuts and financial uncertainty. A spokesman for William said the couple would be "mindful of the economic situation" while making party plans.

Prince William says: "We went through a few stumbling blocks like any other relationship, but we picked ourselves up." -- TV interview, Nov. 16

Kate Middleton says: "When you go out with someone you go through the good times, the bad times, you can really learn things about yourself." -- From same broadcast interview

Editor says: "Now all the royals have to do is make the wedding of the year look thrifty . . . and preferably green" -- Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of TheDailyBeast.com news site