Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 'absolutely delighted' for newly engaged Pippa Middleton

Pippa Middleton is engaged to her financier boyfriend James Matthews and have been given their approval by an "absolutely delighted" Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

A Kensington Palace spokesman confirmed the rumoured engagement as they revealed William and Kate's good wishes for Kate's younger sister.

James - the older brother of Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews - is said to have proposed during a trip to the Lake District on Saturday.

The 40-year-old hedge fund boss reportedly asked Pippa's father for permission before popping the question after less than a year of dating.

Michael Middleton added his good wishes for the couple, declaring them a "wonderful couple."

Pippa stands with her left hand behind her back as she is pictured on Monday night. Credit: PA

Pippa and her future husband will marry next year - six years after William and Kate tied the knot.

The 32-year-old kept her left hand under wraps as she stepped out at a charity event on Monday night but stepped out of her house wearing a large square-shaped diamond engagement ring on Tuesday.

The couple had been seen at Wimbledon last week enjoying the tennis.

Pippa leapt into the limelight in 2011 when she was bridesmaid to her sister in a figure-hugging Alexander McQueen dress at the royal wedding.

It is rumoured she will tie the knot herself next year.