Zara Phillips is to marry England rugby star Mike Tindall, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Zara, the Queen’s eldest grandchild and an international event rider, has been dating Tindall since they met at the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
The couple have lived together in Gloucestershire in a £800,000 Georgian house for the last five years.
Mike popped the question at their home a few weeks ago. The couple are expected to wed in 2011, although they have yet to set a date.
A Palace spokesman said: “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are delighted. They got engaged yesterday evening at the couple’s home in Gloucestershire and a date has yet to be set.”
Speaking of the couple’s future plans back in August, Tindall told the Daily Mail: “I don’t think it is about whether we will get married but when. There is no doubt that I love Zara but it has to be the right time.
“She is so busy competing and I am touring. We don’t even manage to get away on holiday together.
“And yes, it probably would be a white wedding, although sometimes I can see the attraction of sneaking away without telling anyone.
“I’m quite a traditional guy so I’ll be doing it the usual way round – marriage and then children.”
Zara is not a Princess and does not perform Royal duties.
