Rumours about the Prince of Asturias having a serious girlfriend started only on October 31, one day before the actual engagement announcement that was released at 19:30 on November 1.

MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish heir to the throne Prince Felipe has become engaged to a previously married television presenter, crowning years of gossip and speculation about the love life of the tall and handsome prince.

Don Felipe de Borbon y Grecia, 35, will marry Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano, 31, in a ceremony next summer at a cathedral next to the royal palace in Madrid, the palace said in a statement on Saturday. Felipe will formally ask for her hand on Thursday.

The eligible royal bachelor has been a hot topic in gossip and society magazines for many years as he is next in line to be king. His father, King Juan Carlos, is 68.

Prince Felipe's mother, the Greek-born Queen Sofia, is also highly popular in a country where the royal family is free from the intense media coverage seen in Britain.

The crown was suppressed during the Franco years, which followed a short-lived republic, and the father of Juan Carlos never assumed the throne.

Felipe, heir since his father's coronation in 1975, completed a law degree in 1988 and studied at Spain's most renowned military academy, becoming an officer in the army, air force and navy. He is capable of piloting helicopters, according to his official biography.

Ortiz holds a journalism degree and has worked for several major media outlets including ABC newspaper, the state news agency EFE and CNN+, a local channel formed by CNN of the United States and Canal Plus of France.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Their Majesties the King and Queen have the great pleasure to announce the engagement of their son, His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias Don Felipe, with Doña Letizia Oritz Rocasolano.

The asking of the hand will take place next Thursday, November 6th, at the Palace de la Zarzuela.

The wedding will be celebrated at the beginning of the Summer of 2004 at the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena in Madrid.

Zarzuela Palace, November 1st, 2003