Pippa Middleton has become engaged to her financier boyfriend James Matthews during a romantic weekend in Cumbria.

The couple are understood to have been walking in the Lake District when Mr Matthews, seemingly inspired by the scenery, dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him.

In a brief statement, the newly-engaged couple said: "Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday, July 17 and plan to marry next year."

The couple have been dating for less than a year, but had moved in together and were last week seen at Wimbledon enjoying the tennis.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are absolutely delighted with the news."

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