James Middleton announces engagement to French girlfriend

The Duchess of Cambridge's brother has made quite the announcement, while his fiancée is yet to comment publicly

Updated on 07 October 2019 • Written By Rosie Conroy

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James Middleton announces engagement to French girlfriend

The Duchess of Cambridge’s Brother, James Middleton, has announced his engagement to French girlfriend Alizee Thevenet.

Taking a thoroughly modern approach, the British businessman, who owns a personalised marshmallow company called Boomf, revealed his happy news through the medium of Instagram. Middleton captioned a sweet picture of himself and his new fiancée with a simple, ‘She said OUI’, before adding ‘Our secret is out but we couldn’t be happier to share the news’.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by James Middleton (@jmidy) on

The picture is tagged as being taken in the Lake District, where the couple were supposedly enjoying a romantic break together. Along with the main post, Middleton also shared two Instagram stories that see the couple swimming in the sea together before diving under the water to share a kiss. The video explains to his followers that he ‘asked… [Alizee Thevenet] a question the other day…’ before it goes to the next clip that flicks through various snaps of the pair together, which is simply captioned ‘and she said…’.

Well-wishers on the Instagram grid post include Holly Branson, Richard Branson’s daughter, who commented, ‘Love love [sic] this pic, Many many [sic] congratulations you two’ and Cressida Bonas, Prince Harry’s ex, who simply wrote, ‘Congratulations!!!!’. Racking up over 53k likes in under 24 hours indicates Middleton’s followers are thrilled by the happy news.

Middleton and Thevenet are thought to have been dating for around 15 months, after they were first spotted together at the Middleton’s family holiday home in St. Bart’s last year. The ring appears to be a square sapphire, perhaps flanked by diamonds – could it have been inspired by Middleton's sister The Duchess of Cambridge’s ring we wonder? Despite the very public announcement from Middleton, Alizee’s Instagram account remains private with just 292 followers.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by James Middleton (@jmidy) on

Thevenet, 30, who works in The City, is thought to have got chatting to Middleton at the South Kensington Club. The pair struck up conversation while Middleton petted Thevenet’s dog. According to sources, after he returned to his table Middleton sent Thevenet a note via a waiter that read, ‘I never normally do this, but would you like to go for a drink with me?’. He also picked up her tab.

Following somewhat of a whirlwind romance, last month the pair moved into a West London home together. The Middleton family also own Party Pieces, an event décor company, so we’re sure the big day itself will be quite a grand affair.

Have you just popped the question or been asked to marry your other half? We've made a fool-proof plan of what to do after you're engaged.