James Middleton engaged as Alizee Thevenet shows engagement ring similar to sister Kate's

James Middleton used Instagram to announce his engagement to the world.

The 32-year-old and his partner Alizee, 30, are planning to marry, he revealed.

Posting a selfie of the pair on his account, James’ fiance held up her left hand to reveal her ring.

The couple looked casual, with Alizee snuggled in a red jumper, without make up.

Many have drawn comparisons between her ring and Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which was once Princess Diana’s.

Alizee’s ring appears to be a large square cut sapphire surrounded by diamonds on a platinum band.

James captioned the sweet image: “She said OUI. Our secret is out but we couldn’t be happier to share the news.”

The Daily Mail reported a friend of James’s said: “He seems finally to have found ‘The One’.”

Telling the story of how the couple met, they claimed the City worker came over to stroke James’ cocker spaniel Ella in West London.

They said: “After Alizee went back to her table, James asked the waiter to give her a note saying: ‘I never normally do this, but would you like to go for a drink with me?’

“He also picked up their tab. A few weeks later, they went out for a drink together.

“It wasn’t until after they’d met for a drink that Alizee realised who he was — one of her friends had to tell her.”

Kate Middleton’s engagement ring is also a sapphire, ringed by diamonds.

The ring was originally bought for Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and cost an eye-watering £28,500.

This amount seems costly now, but taking into account inflation, which has average 3.7 per cent year on year according to the bank of England, the ring really cost the equivalent of £100,250.

Prior to meeting Alizee James Middleton dated actress Donna Air for a number of years.

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding took place in 2011.

A body language expert has analysed Prince William’s body language on the day. 

Judi James said: “He stands upright and confident here, with a wide, open-mouthed smile that suggests he is enjoying the day.

“Although younger than his father when he married, he looks very much the confident man to Charles’s diffident and anxious young boy.”