Royal Family

Pippa Middleton engaged to hedge funder James Matthews

The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister announces her engagement

FILE - This is a July 6, 2016 file photo of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews on day nine of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon London. Pippa Middleton and fund manager James Matthews on Tuesday July 19, 2016 announced their engagement. (Anthony Devlin/PA via AP)

This is a July 6, 2016 file photo of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews on day nine of the Wimbledon Championships. (Anthony Devlin/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP) — The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister Pippa Middleton and hedge fund manager James Matthews have announced their engagement.

The couple confirmed rumors in a statement to Britain’s Press Association on Tuesday, saying they planned to marry next year. The statement comes as Middleton appeared in photographs with a diamond engagement ring on her left hand as she left her London home.

Matthews got down on one knee while they were visiting the picturesque Lake District and proposed to the 32-year-old Middleton.

Middleton played a prominent role in the 2011 royal wedding of her older sister Kate and Prince William at Westminster Abbey in London, a wedding that was seen live by a worldwide television audience.

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