"Yet, in the absence of material security, I discovered the strength and life that comes from true selfless love," Sperling continued. "A love that is able to be solely devoted to

The son of Princess Anne has been dating the NHS nurse and freelance writer for more than a year, and they have appeared together at Royal Ascot and Wimbledon.

"Mr Peter Phillips, the son of HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips and Ms Harriet Sperling, daughter of the late Mr Rupert Sanders and Mrs Mary Sanders of Gloucestershire, have today confirmed their official engagement," the statement read.