The day is finally here. Today marks the much-anticipated royal nuptials of Prince William to commoner Catherine Middleton. It’s the wedding of the century (so far) that has captivated Britain and the watching world.

For those who are not royal-watching diehards, by the time your Trib lands on or near your doorstep this morning, the I-do’s will probably have been done.

For those who idled in giddy anticipation leading up to the big day, we hope you were able to make the 5 a.m. wakeup call to watch on the telly the live bridal procession at Westminster Abbey. Of course, those who sacrificed a few more hours of sleep probably got to see Queen Elizabeth II before the ceremony and to dish on what all the A-listers and notable diplomats were wearing as they filed into the ornate church where, 30 years prior, William’s mom, Princess Diana, wed Prince Charles.

Di and Charles’ 1981 storybook wedding was likened to a fairy tale. We all know how that ended.

Those same descriptions, however, haven’t been used on Kate and Will. Their long relationship seems to have much more stability and less naiveté. The 29-year-old kinetic and highly photogenic bride has not sported the deer-in-the-headlight look of former “shy Di.” Nevertheless, she has not lived down the term “Waity Katy,” catchphrase of the day in reference to the nine years she waited for Will to pop the question.

In recent British TV interviews, William made clear he wanted his bride to be absolutely certain of what she was getting into. Hence, the long wait.

Atta gal. She stuck in there. But can one really know what life behind the royal gates will be like?

And, uh hum, why do we Americans care so much?

This infatuation with royalty goes against everything our ancestors fought for. Yet we can’t seem to get enough of it.

An estimated 2 billion people were expected to watch the wedding, including millions in the United States and Texas. Perhaps the sheer magnitude and excesses during such austere times for our economy piques interests. The event — including horse-drawn processional through London streets, flowers and $80,000 cake — could cost $32 million (which is still less than the $48 million spent on Charles and Di’s I-do’s).

Although we pride ourselves in our democracy, perhaps some tiny part of us still respects the crown. For years, Hollywood movie stars and political icons like the Kennedys have been the American version of royalty. Now in Kate and Will we see the potential for a new generation to reign. Perhaps they’ll build an even stronger relationship with the United States.

It is that hope, we surmise, that keeps so many of us watching.

So during today’s post-wedding brunch at Buckingham Palace and private evening reception (for a select 300 invitees), we’ll keep our eyes to the palace and our dreams for a better tomorrow alive.

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