On Saturday 9th April 2005 we will see a new H.R.H. the Princess of Wales – well, in all but name. It’s still a raw subject for thousands of “Diana fans” around the globe and many will never come to terms with the fact - At least not until she is on the arm of H.R.H. the Prince William of Wales … King and Queen in waiting.

This is where I believe Mrs. Parker Bowles and Princess Diana had a huge thing in common. I know one knew and am sure the other one does, that they would never be Queen. The latter - not because less than half of the country wants her to be - but because she is aware that time will be the determining factor in this. Bear with me.

If the H.M. the Queen lives to be as old as her mother then we will have another 22 years before we need a successor. By then Prince Charles will be 79 and my guess spending most of his time with his wife as recluses in the Scottish Highlands. Enter Prince William, now 45, no doubt married and with a young vibrant family. Am I the only one with this foresight … or is this just wishful thinking?

I spent 6 years living in Windsor, Berkshire. A prime location too, my house was in the private grounds of Windsor Castle and on a golf course. Windsor is a beautiful albeit expensive place to live, nice location, wonderful parks and great shopping – except on a Saturday that is. The small town becomes grid locked and even the Peascod street one way system doesn’t help. Tourists flock to the town daily but on a Saturday they are joined by frustrated locals trying to go about there business. Throw in a wedding at the Guildhall and you are talking congestion – add two more, oh and then a Royal wedding too and now the place comes to a halt.

Because of yet more bad luck to besiege the plans of the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Parker Bowles the wedding has been moved to Saturday April 9th. It will now take place – along with three others on the same day - wheel em in, wheel em out … My advice? If you are planning on popping in to Marks and Sparks Saturday to pick up some smalls – plan on being there a while.

If you think that I may be able to help raise funds for YOUR charity in some way then please contact me. There’s only one of me and I do have a full time job so I can’t promise to help everyone, but we may be able to work something out.

Until next time......