Zara Phillips, the Queen's eldest granddaughter, has made her first public appearance since announcing that she is to marry England rugby union star Mike Tindall, reports Hello Magazine. Buckingham Palace announced on Monday (20th December 2010) that the couple were engaged, however, it is not yet known when they intend to marry.
The announcement comes just weeks after Prince William and his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton confirmed that they are to wed on April 29th 2011, a date that has been declared a UK bank holiday. In a much more unstated appearance to that of the Prince and Ms Middleton, Phillips and Tindal emerged in the grounds of their Gloucestershire home yesterday and posed in the snowy gardens. Phillips showed off her solitaire engagement ring which features pave set diamonds on a platinum band.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were said to be "delighted" by news of the engagement, and Phillips herself said, "I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy" The couple first met during England's successful World Cup rugby campaign in 2003 and Phillips went on to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2007 after winning a gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2007.