A child is born - King Liam?

Statisticians tell us that around 400,000 people are born every day — about 156,000 die. A statistician is not needed to point out that one particular birth in London on Monday generated a far greater furore than the other 399,999 births put together.

William and Kate’s son’s arrival gave some people an opportunity to be ostentatiously indifferent but many more Irish people once again showed how happy we are to celebrate all things royal. It may be no more than a harmless extension of celebrity culture but in the context of our bitter history it underlines the very welcome normalisation of relationships on these islands.

It has been suggested that the boy might be named William after his father. It is probably too early in this evolving, positive, neighbourly relationship to suggest that this proposal might be amended to reflect this great cultural change... King Liam anyone?