Downing Street has announced there are “no plans” for a bank holiday on the day of Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle and, frankly, it’s gone down like a lead balloon.
For a Government trailling in the polls and blundering its way to the European Union exit door, downing tools for a day would have been just the tonic for a jaded nation.
And a Royal Wedding-inspired day off has happened in recent memory.
The day of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding – April 29, 2011 – was made a public holiday by David Cameron.
Similarly, July 29, 1981, was a called a public holiday for the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana.
So expectations were high …
The world: Prince Harry is going to marry Meghan Markle! The UK: …Do we get the day off? pic.twitter.com/0UBYCIV8bf
Me after the Prince Harry #MeghanMarkle Royal Wedding statement….. pic.twitter.com/3MPtROHFVs
Hearing ‘royal wedding’ and immediately thinking ‘bank holiday’ pic.twitter.com/LC0UByT0jo
However, Theresa May’s government has seen it another way …
The prime minister’s office, citing precedence for the decision, says there was no bank holiday for Prince Andrew’s wedding.
Number 10 said there is “no precedent” for a bank holiday because Prince Andrew and Prince Edward didn’t have one. No mention of Princess Anne. Who, um, did get one.
November 27, 2017
Princess Anne was the first of the Queen’s kids to marry tho
To be clear, since Harry is higher up the line of succession he doesn’t warrant one, it seems.
There was no public holiday for the wedding of Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles either.
So when the wedding takes place in Spring next year we’ll have to hang the bunting in the office.
Anyway, Brits have reacted to the news with the trademark stiff upper lip.
GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT FOR ONCE, HOW HARD WOULD THAT REALLY BE https://t.co/u4p8idHVJA
There should surely be a bank holiday to celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Only curmudgeons will be in the office anyway.
For too long we have been ruled by a monarchy, to the barricades! https://t.co/My1Vxt8NeY
What do you mean, No 10 says we won’t be having a #royalwedding bank holiday? pic.twitter.com/fcTJHtSJI8
And, really, did Downing Street not sniff the opportunity for some modest political gain?
[Act 2; Scene 3] [A room in Downing Street] “What we need is an easy win. Some PR thing that will make people happy, and us look good. Any ideas?” “…” “Oh well.”https://t.co/KbFVOEkSJB
November 27, 2017