On the arrival of our future king

Meanwhile, in Ireland…

<p>Britain&#8217;s Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Hope House, in London,  Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013. As patron of Action on Addiction, the Duchess was visiting Hope House, a safe, secure place for women to recover from substance dependence.  (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)</p>

Britain’s Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Hope House, in London, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013. As patron of Action on Addiction, the Duchess was visiting Hope House, a safe, secure place for women to recover from substance dependence. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

It’s a boy. The Governor General and Prime Minister send their regards. And because our official system of governance still formally recognizes fairy tales, one day new citizens will pledge allegiance to him.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, President Michael D. Higgins will spend this Thursday appointing a couple of judges, watching some soccer, having tea with some senior citizens, receiving the mayor of Dublin and attending a reception of the Irish Jewish Gathering. President Higgins exercises powers similar to our governor general, but he was democratically elected and he is not a representative of the Queen because Ireland became a republic in 1948.