英国黛安娜王妃生前密友、作家蒂娜·布朗日前透露，威廉王子或将于6月初与交往7年的女友凯特·米德尔顿订婚，并有可能在11月喜结连理。

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Prince William is finally set to announce his long-awaited engagement to girlfriend Kate Middleton, according to speculation sweeping the UK.

Prince William is finally set to announce his long-awaited engagement to girlfriend Kate Middleton, according to speculation（推测，思索） sweeping the UK.

A high placed royal source has reportedly revealed two days in June - the 3rd and 4th - have been mysteriously blocked out（概略画出，封闭） on palace diaries.

"They suggest this is a likely date for the engagement announcement at last," Princess Diana biographer Tina Brown reports on website the Daily Beast.

The claim follows a weekend report that the Queen has placed a bulk order（大宗订单） for champagne³（香槟） , fuelling speculation William has popped the question（求婚） .

An unexplained order had been made for 300 bottles of vintage（古老的，最佳的） Dom Perignon（唐·培里浓香槟王） worth almost $50,000, the News of the World reported.

"This usually only happens ahead of special occasions like weddings and family announcements. It suggests something big is coming up,'' a source told the paper.

Plans were in place for the pair to wed⁴ before February 2012 celebrations to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee（第60或第75周年纪念） , or 60 years of rule, the paper added.

If the latest hints are on the money, the engagement announcement would be timed to come after Britain's May 6 election and before William's planned first joint⁵ overseas tour with brother Harry⁶.

William is president of England's Football Association and the two princes are set to travel to Africa in June for a trip that will take in a soccer World Cup match.

The rumours⁷ would see trainee⁸（新兵，受训者） helicopter rescue pilot William, 27, and Kate, 28, marry in the winter, possibly as early as November.

That would see the couple conveniently tie the knot（结婚） before Prince Philip's 90th birthday in June 2011.

London also hosts the 2012 Olympics, potentially leaving William with a long wait for a suitable gap for his wedding if he does not act soon.

The pair met when both were studying at St Andrews University and have been dating for over eight years, leading Middleton to be dubbed⁹（被称为） "Waity Katie".

Past speculation of impending¹⁰（即将发生的） marriage has been off the mark, with UK department store chain Woolworths launching commemorative（纪念的） plates, mugs（马克杯） and tea towels as far back as 2006. The chain went bust¹¹（破产，完蛋） without any confirmation¹² of the royal wedding.