Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Phillips, has reportedly become secretly engaged to her boyfriend of three years, Mike Tindall.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, journalist Katie Nicholls has reported that Zara, 25, hoped to keep the engagement a secret, telling only close friends and her family, until an official announcement is made by the palace in August.

Katie’s unnamed source is quoted as saying:

Zara and Mike are planning to make the engagement official in August, after consulting Palace seniors on suitable dates to make the announcement. Even though they are a very down-to-earth couple and keep themselves to themselves, they still have to follow Royal protocol. It’s not like they can just announce the engagement when they feel like it.

Zara is apparently still keen to pursue her dream of winning an Olympic gold medal in 2008 however, and will likely postpone the wedding until after the Olympics, with the source claiming:

There’s a lot that Zara still wants to achieve but she has even told Mike she’s prepared to give up everything once they are married. She’s aware how dangerous the sport is and that having a family brings new commitments.