ON TUESDAY, November 16, the British media lost the plot.

All real news was cancelled in order to dedicate every nanosecond of broadcasting time to the announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials.

I have nothing personal against Mr Windsor and Miss Middleton, even if I have little time for the royals. I will explain why later.

But what really irritated me is the reaction to the announcement, especially on TV.

I thought the media was supposed to report things that are of interest to the public. Maybe it’s the company I keep, but I struggled to find anyone who was remotely interested in the royal announcement.

I could be wrong but I imagine the majority of people below a certain age – and it’s older than you think – have no interest in the royal family.

Why then did BBC, Sky and all newspapers except The Independent dedicate their prime spots to Big Willie and Babykins’ announcement?

Was it a slow news day? That’s doubtful.

Perhaps it was to distract us from all the tales of economic gloom and terrorism that cast their dark shadows over our breakfast tables. Again, I don’t think so.

I think it is because the media misread the public mood or, worse, felt duty bound to report it down to the most tedious detail e.g. ‘this building will be really important because the Queen sprained her ankle on the floor here in 1967,’ or ‘this blue ring is significant because Prince Edward knew someone who wore a blue ring... once.’ Typically the broadcast then cuts to an interview with a so-called ‘royal family expert’.

Only did certain sections of the BBC, including an averagely irreverent Have I Got News For You?, report the general apathy to the news.

David Cameron described the announcement as a “great moment for great national celebration”.

Maybe he was obliged to say that, or maybe, his status as an Old Etonian had something to do with it.

Either way he too misjudged the mood of the nation.

What exactly will most people have to celebrate?

Why would a nation that’s struggling to make ends meet celebrate the union of an undeservedly rich couple who will be kept in cash by the taxpayer come boom or bust?

Aside from being an archaic institution of dysfunctional people the royals have nothing whatsoever to do with the lives of 99.99% of Brits.

I’d be surprised if, shielded in their lavish world, they have more than a passing interest in 99.99% of us.

So what if Kate Middleton is a ‘commoner’? She’s still marrying into the same archaic institution and she’ll be moneyed for the rest of her life... or her royal marriage, at least.

And why was Bury Council leader Mike Connolly forced to apologise for calling Mr Windsor and Miss Middleton ‘multi-millionaire parasites’ when he had a good point?

It’s nice to know that the royal purse will be paying the wedding bill and we’re getting a holiday. And while the taxpayer is shelling out for the happy couple’s transport and security, a day off work for a tiny fee is good value for money.

But while the hard-working majority will be grateful for an extra day of repose, many won’t be spending it watching the ‘big’ event.