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| Zara Phillips to marry rugby star Mike Tindall | Zara Phillips to marry rugby star Mike Tindall |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Queen's oldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips, has got engaged to her long-term boyfriend, England rugby union player Mike Tindall. | The Queen's oldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips, has got engaged to her long-term boyfriend, England rugby union player Mike Tindall. |
| Buckingham Palace said Mr Tindall, 32, had proposed on Monday at the couple's Gloucestershire home. | Buckingham Palace said Mr Tindall, 32, had proposed on Monday at the couple's Gloucestershire home. |
| Miss Phillips, 29, who is 12th in line to the throne, said she was "shocked", but "very happy"; the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said they were "delighted" by news of the engagement. | Miss Phillips, 29, who is 12th in line to the throne, said she was "shocked", but "very happy"; the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said they were "delighted" by news of the engagement. |
| No wedding date has yet been set. | No wedding date has yet been set. |
| The announcement comes just weeks after Prince William and Kate Middleton revealed that they were engaged and planned to marry on 29 April 2011. | |
| BBC correspondent Nicholas Witchell said as public attention focused on the prince's wedding, that of his cousin and Mr Tindall was likely to be a largely private event. | |
| He added: "Zara is not a working member of the Royal Family and has been able to live her life with a considerable amount of freedom. | |
| 'Rebellious streak' | |
| "There has been a rebellious streak, with her infamous tongue stud, but Mike Tindall has been a steadying influence on Zara." | |
| Miss Phillips and Mr Tindall met during England's Rugby World Cup-winning campaign in Australia in 2003. | Miss Phillips and Mr Tindall met during England's Rugby World Cup-winning campaign in Australia in 2003. |
| He also plays for Premiership side Gloucester and was named club captain for the 2010/11 season in August. | He also plays for Premiership side Gloucester and was named club captain for the 2010/11 season in August. |
| In a statement, he said: "I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together." | In a statement, he said: "I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together." |
| His bride-to-be added: "I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy." | His bride-to-be added: "I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy." |
| Miss Phillips has achieved sporting success in her own right, winning individual gold in three-day eventing at the World Equestrian Games in Germany in 2006. | |
| The title helped her become BBC Sports Personality of the Year later that year, following in the footsteps of her mother, Princess Anne, who won the award in 1971. | The title helped her become BBC Sports Personality of the Year later that year, following in the footsteps of her mother, Princess Anne, who won the award in 1971. |
| Clarence House issued a statement on behalf of the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry. | |
| It said: "Their royal highnesses are delighted with the news and look forward to conveying their best wishes to the couple." | It said: "Their royal highnesses are delighted with the news and look forward to conveying their best wishes to the couple." |