The lady says yes

The royal announcement said, "It is with the greatest pleasure that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh announce the betrothal of their beloved son, the Prince of Wales, to the Lady Diana Spencer. . . ." And it is with the greatest pleasure that we join Britain's retinue of well-wishers in celebrating the joyous occasion.

By all accounts the young future Queen possesses the most attractive personal qualities, including an appropriate quickness in helping others. She sounds like an admirable partner for Prince Charles as he continues the preparation for the throne which he has undertaken so thoroughly in the armed forces and other forms of public service.

But, besides being royalty, this is a couple in love, and the world may be pardoned for waxing a bit romantic about it all, even as Britons feel a lift in the midst of current adversities. "What a wedding there will be!" as the love song says. It promises splendors unequaled since Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip themselves were married. It is the kind of event to be shared with the public through the news media, which by the same token ought to stop their hounding of the royal family in their private lives. Let them alone. As anyone about to get married knows, they've got a lo t to talk over.