[Elspeth]

This is the article site's long-awaited contribution to the discussion about the effect on royal dynasties of the increasing frequency of marriage between heirs to the throne and middle-class commoners. This discussion is cropping up all over TRF as a result of the marriages between the heirs to most of the European thrones and commoners, sometimes the second generation of the family to do so, as well as the controversy over whether Kate Middleton is a suitable prospective consort for Prince (and eventually King) William. The same controversy is raging in Japan, where the imperial family has gone from being deities to pretty much being commoners in two generations.

As with ysbel's article, Vanesa's article has been held up for several months while we tried to get permission for photos. TheTruth has very kindly made a highly impressive collage to illustrate the second page of the article, and I hope everyone thinks the overall finished product is worth the wait. I'm really pleased by how this one has turned out.