Why this royal wedding may last...

I shamelessly nicked this from Ed West's blog at The Daily Telegraph.

Here’s some cutting-edge research from Penny Mansfield, director of the marriage think-tank One Plus One, that points to a long and happy marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Mansfield has spent the last 30 years collating more than 3,000 academic studies into marriage and divorce. And, she says, William and Kate’s relationship is likely to be strong. Here’s why:

1. The bride is religious: Kate was confirmed into the Church of England in March, apparently at her own insistence, while William was confirmed at the age of 14.

2. The bride’s parents did not separate: Michael and Carole Middleton have been married for 30 years.

3. There are no children of previous partners in the household.

4. They both have high levels of education – both William and Kate graduated with a 2:1 honours degree from St Andrews.

5. William and Kate own their own home – no fears about getting on the property ladder certainly, with a large detached property in SW1 eventually awaiting them.

6. They have received marriage preparation, which is known to improve the quality of relationships. (William and Kate had classes with the Archbishop of Canterbury.)

7. They are not too young. Kate is 29 and William is 28. The last census shows the youngest married adults, aged 16-24 in 1991, were less likely to be living with the same partner in 2001 compared with older cohabiting adults.

All this is in contrast to Charles and Diana’s marriage, where the bride was just 19, had no higher education, and came from a broken home.

(Incidentally, forgive the tasteless question, but if we all get a day off today for the royal wedding, do we have to work an extra day if they divorce?)