"Here is the stuff of which fairytales are made..."

So declared the Archbishop of Canterbury nearly thirty years ago after he officiated the marriage of a young woman with the heir to the throne of England.

It really did seem like a fairytale come true as Diana Spencer began her journey down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, her very long dress following behind her. As the world watched with rose coloured glasses at the shy twenty year old, they could just barely see her delicate blush gracefully peeking through her veil.

And if you asked your mother if she was watching that day, I can guarantee that not only will she say yes, but that she would confirm there not to be a single dry eye in the room.

Now, all those years later, the same thing is about to happen again: a fairytale union between a man who would be king and the woman he will make his princess. The world is in love again.

One famous actress recently remarked on the breathtaking pace with which the world has snapped into avid attention: "every woman wants to find her prince". It is no wonder then that people all over the world are captivated by a fantasy that has come true. That Kate is the commoner who has captured the attention of the most eligible royal in the world makes this story all the more romantic, causing even the crustiest of sceptics to watch in fascination as the couple move towards the day they tell the world how much they love each other.

I am actually old enough to remember obscure memories that have been arranged haphazardly in my mind: images of William's first day at kindergarten, his awkwardness whilst at Eton, a lanky 16-year old walking side-by-side with a distraught younger brother - both sombrely following a decorated hearse through the streets of London, glimpses of him tumbling about in St Andrews, lots of army garb and marching, photographs of partying in nightclubs, skiing holidays and charity works in Africa, all have been banded together to form a lifetime of memories.

Memories which are close enough to me to feel as though I am about to watch a very good friend get married.

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"... [our faith] sees the wedding day not as the place of arrival, but the place where the adventure really begins..."

And as I watch the events unfold this Friday, I and several million others who will also be watching will undoubtedly wish the couple the truest of love and the best of journeys. Together, always.