Fairy tales really do come true

To every critic who says that romance novels are escapist (well, okay, they are!) and unrealistic, all I have to say is ... bah humbug!

Ordinary young girls really do grow up to marry princes. It may not happen every day, but every 2-3 years, give or take, is still good odds. For the most recent in a string of European royal engagements and weddings worthy of any self-respecting romance novel, click here.

Okay, so the ages of hero and heroine are not exactly category romance material, but this story still has Cinderella stamped all over it. The young woman who has won the heart of the playboy prince is a former school teacher. (And she's South African too!)

Though perhaps the best fairy stories of all take place quietly around the world every day, as young girls grow up to be princesses. And most magical of all, these days they don't need a man to make all their dreams come true.

Though I'll admit that the princes are a wonderful bonus!