Britain could be hosting another royal wedding next year, with Princess Beatrice reportedly being on the verge of announcing an engagement to her boyfriend.
The 22-year-old royal has been dating Virgin Galactic businessman Dave Clark, 29, for five years.
Beatrice and Dave are currently on holiday in St Tropez to celebrate Beatrice’s recent graduation from university, and are said to be seriously considering tying the knot.
In pictures: Love is in the heir for William and Kate
Friends say the couple have planned a romantic trip to Spain later this year, and are likely to return from that holiday engaged.
“Dave wanted to wait until Bea had completed her degree to talk seriously about their future,” a source told the UK’s Daily Mail.
“They have planned a romantic holiday together to Spain and the word among their inner circle is that an engagement is on the cards.”
Beatrice’s parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are said to be thrilled with the impending engagement. They have got to know Dave well over the years and have been expecting him to propose for a while.
“Both Sarah and Andrew would be delighted to call Dave their son-in-law,” the source said. “They already think of him as one of the family and aren’t surprised in the least that he wants to ask for her hand.
“He has stuck by Beatrice through the family’s every embarrassing scandal and he brings stability to her life, as well as fun and laughter, not to mention love.”
Beatrice is only 22, but friends say she is not afraid of marrying young. Her parents’ relationship ended in divorce, but she reportedly still believes in marriage and wants to settle down and start a family instead of pursuing a career.
“The Duke and Duchess may have got things wrong in their marriage but bringing up their children together is not one of them, so Bea is not adverse to marriage,” the source said.
“She is young, but very sensible, and although she goes out, she is not a big party-lover. Settling down is the most likely option as she has no concrete career plans.”
Related: Princess Beatrice celebrates her graduation
Beatrice graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London earlier this month with a degree in the History of Ideas.
Your say: Do you think 22 is too young to get married?
Video: Princess Beatrice auctions her wacky royal wedding hat online
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