Only a little more than a month after Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement, royal cousin Zara Phillips announced her decision to marry long-time boyfriend and rugby player, Mike Tindall. She is the only daughter of Princess Anne and her former husband, Mark Phillips. At 29, Zara is the Queen's oldest granddaughter and the first female of her generation to decide to tie the knot. Zara said she was "shocked", but "very happy"; the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said they were "delighted" by news of the engagement.
Zara and Mike met in 2003 during England's Rugby World Cup-winning campaign in Australia. In a statement to the press, Mike said, "I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together." Zara added, "I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy."
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has honoured the 4th Mechanized Brigade at York Minster, the ceremony honoured the 72 Service personnel who have died in deployments to Afghanistan.
