Following a doom-laden winter of cuts and rumours of cuts, April's royal wedding was expected to put a spring back into the nation's step. Most Britons approve of our constitutional monarchy, but even republicans looking the other way can still appreciate a day off.

The one-off celebration will not provide much of a long-term feelgood factor, but the coalition government - now a year old - intends to take a more prolonged interest in public happiness. In April, the Office ...