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Royal wedding: Prince William gives Kate Diana's ring

Prince William has spoken of his and fiancee Kate Middleton's happiness, as the newly-engaged couple faced the cameras for the first time.

The couple, both 28, will marry next spring or summer after he proposed while on holiday in Kenya in October.

The prince said: "The timing is right now." His brother Harry said he would be gaining a sister.

William gave Kate his mother's engagement ring, saying: "It was right to put the two together."

Speaking as they stood arm-in-arm before photographers, and later as they gave a TV interview, Prince William said giving Kate his mother Diana's distinctive sapphire and diamond engagement ring was "my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement".

He stressed that no-one was "trying to fill my mother's shoes". Miss Middleton paid tribute to the princess as an "inspirational woman".

She admitted joining the Royal Family was a "daunting prospect" but she added: "Hopefully I'll take it in my stride."

Ring 'in rucksack'

The Prince would not be drawn on whether he went down on one knee to propose, but, as the couple laughed, Miss Middleton said: "It was very romantic, and it was very personal."

The couple met while they were students at St Andrews University, Fife.

Speaking about their relatively long courtship, William said: "I didn't realise it was a race, otherwise I probably would have been a lot quicker.

"The time is right now. We're both very, very happy and I'm very glad that I have done it."

Miss Middleton added: "We have been going out a long time. We had spoken about our future and it just seemed the natural step for both of us."

Prince William told how he carried the ring around in the royal rucksack for about three weeks before he chose the right time to propose.

He said he knew he would be in trouble if he lost it, so he held onto it tightly.

And he revealed he asked Kate's father for her hand in marriage after he asked her.

"I thought if I ask Kate first then he can't really say no," he said.

Prince Harry's spokesman released a statement late on Tuesday after the prince had returned from flying training in Hampshire.

"I am delighted that my brother has popped the question. It means I get a sister, which I have always wanted," the statement read.

The couple will marry in London in 2011 and live in north Wales, where Prince William, second in line the throne, is serving with the RAF.

They said they hoped to have children. Miss Middleton said a close-knit family was important: "I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves.

Smiling, Prince William added: "I think we'll take it one step at a time. We'll sort of get over the marriage first and then maybe look at the kids. But obviously we want a family."

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