The virtue of patience is lost to us all in age of Google

If recent royal events have taught us anything, it is that we cannot do delayed gratification any more. As a nation which used to be famous for its waiting – great at queuing, for example – we should now hang our heads in shame.

After Prince Louis’ birth, there was an undignified outpouring of impatience from people seemingly desperate to know the name of the baby.

And this was only after his poor mother had to stand upright on the steps of the hospital, wearing clothes and gamely smiling, with no hint of a smarting front bottom, hours after giving birth so we could see him.

Having satisfied ourselves that the new royal had been presented to photographers, the name game began.

Who were these people fretting “What will the new prince be called? I CAN’T SLEEP UNTIL I KNOW. WHY AREN’T THEY TELLING US?”

This is surely a result of 24-hour rolling news at our fingertips and our reliance on “news” from people’s social meeja feeds. We cannot wait any more.

Even those elusive facts we used to enjoy reaching into the recesses of our addled minds to retrieve midconversation are cruelly Googled by friends.

Am I alone in enjoying that moment when you remember who you meant when you said “Thingy, that one who was in Brookside and then went into that thing with whatsit.” The moment when the name comes to you (Usually in the middle of the night) is exquisite.

I suggest we all try to calm down before the next royal wedding, when the issue will be people going: “What will she wear? I CAN’T SLEEP UNTIL I KNOW WHAT THE FROCK LOOKS LIKE.”

Talking of waiting, no news from Duckwatch yet (See last week’s words of wisdom). Just wait patiently.