MACLEAN'S ROYAL ENGAGEMENT COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE ARRIVES ON NEWSSTANDS TODAY

Special 132-page, perfect-bound edition explores the romance that has captivated the world-with guest writers John Fraser, Leah McLaren and Karen von Hahn joining Maclean's best to offer an inside look

TORONTO, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - The announcement of the engagement of William and Kate captivated Canadians like few events do. It's a romantic, good-news story, though not without the tragic undertones of Diana's fraught marriage and her untimely death under the glare of insatiable media attention. William's and Kate's marriage, scheduled for spring or summer next year, is Britain and the world's new hope for a happy ending.

Canadians care
Very much, writes Canadian journalist, author and academic John Fraser, one of several guest writers in this special issue.  After years of indifference to the Crown, Canada is enjoying a true royal moment, he says, predicting that a renewal and hope in the young pair will bring an outpouring of affection not seen here for years.

Will William and Kate's royal marriage actually work out?
It has a good chance of doing so, says Maclean's senior writer Anne Kingston, who sees the couple's long harmonious courtship, and the stable marriage of Kate's parents as good omens for the future.

PLUS:

• Style writer Karen Von Hahn on Kate's unshakeable fashion sense
• From Britain, Leah McLaren writes about how the engagement news has cheered Britons. Leah also interviews Royals expert Katie Nicholl on the impact of the engagement on the Royal family.

Other highlights:

The couple
How they met and the hearts they broke; The long eight-year courtship; The ring.

The families
The royals and the Middletons. The unpredictable brother, Harry; and Remembering Diana.

The wedding
Everything from bets on the dress to the music (and the colour of the Queen's hat on the big day). Plus, a sneak peak at the Canadians who are most likely to make the invitation short list.

The history
A10-page photo album of previous royal weddings. And the five Queen Catherines before Kate. (Not one of them had it easy.)

The future
The houses, the jewels and the glass coach for her wedding day (seriously) versus the job: the charity grind, the public appearances, the pressure to produce an heir and the endless scrutiny.

Maclean's Royal Engagement Commemorative issue is on newsstands now and sells for $6.95.

About Maclean's magazine

Maclean's is Canada's only national weekly current affairs magazine. Maclean's enlightens, engages and entertains 2.4-million readers with strong investigative reporting and exclusive stories from leading journalists in the fields of international affairs, social issues, national politics, business and culture. Visit www.macleans.ca

For further information:

Louise Leger,
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