Duchess Catherine and Prince William are "absolutely delighted" by Pippa Middleton’s engagement.
The 34-year-old royal and her husband, the Duke of Cambridge, are thrilled her sister has decided to tie the knot with hedge fund manager James Matthews.
A spokesperson for the royal couple said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are absolutely delighted with the news."
Whilst Michael Middleton added in a statement: "Carole and I are absolutely thrilled with the news. They make a wonderful couple and we wish them every happiness together."
The news of Pippa’s engagement was confirmed by the husband and wife-to-be in a statement released on Tuesday (19.07.16).
It read: "Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday 17th July and plan to marry next year."
And James reportedly asked Pippa’s father Michael permission before getting down on one knee, keeping with tradition.
A source said: "James is a traditionalist and very much wanted to do things properly. That meant getting his future father-in-law’s consent.
"Mike and Carole are very happy. They like James and they are sure he will make Pippa very happy."
And despite being one of the heirs to the luxurious five star Eden Rock hotel in St Barths, James is a self-made man.
An insider shared: "He worked very hard from an early age. He’s a smart chap but also the sort of bloke you would be proud to call a friend He made a huge amount of cash from hedge funds and some more from the London property market. We’re talking millions here and you don’t do that by the age of 40 unless you are a sharp cookie. And James is very bright."
Duchess Catherine and Prince William ‘delighted’ by Pippa Middleton’s engagement
