Life

A Couple Got Engaged Outside The British Royals' Christmas Service — & It Was Caught On Live TV

by Kaitlyn Wylde
Sky News

As the British Royal family attended their traditional Christmas service inside the St. Mary Magdalene Church, in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, an American couple got engaged outside the Sandringham church, aka on the Queen’s holiday estate. Yes, in perhaps the most *extra* engagement this Christmas, two American tourists decided to spend the rest of their lives together — on royal property, and live TV, of course. Because if you're going to get engaged on Christmas, you have to go big.

Here's how it went down, in case you thought you had already dreamt up the most extra proposal plan in viral history: 20-year-old Michael Metz, who had been planning the proposal since August, tipped off a Sky News reporter who was covering the royal Christmas church going, that he was going to pop the question to his girlfriend, Ashley Millican. The vacationing couple was at the Queen's estate in Sandringham to get a glimpse of the newly engaged royal couple on their way to church, like everyone else. Seriously, there was a massive crowd outside of the church with people and reporters just waiting around in the cold for a chance to see the royals in person. So with cameras covering it, Metz got down on one knee and said, “I want to spend the rest of my Christmases with you, Ashley, so I wanted to know if you wanted to marry me" — to which, of course, a very surprised and giddy Millican said "yes". Actually, "oh God, yes, oh God!" to be specific.

After a lot of cheering from the crowd, sniffles and claps, and with shaky hands and happy tears, Millican wiggled her finger out of her promise ring and placed the new ring on her finger. The charming moment, which was made immortal thanks to Sky News, was filled with kind reactions from the surrounding crow of on-lookers. In the news clip you can even see other tourists taking video footage of the engagement, getting a two-for-one show.

The couple went on to reveal that the ring was Millican's grandmother's ring and her aunt, who lives in the U.K. had helped to orchestrate the unforgettable moment with Metz. Metz's family was also there to witness the engagement. You can check out the sweet moment below:

Considering the fact that Christmas is the most popular holiday for engagements, beating out Valentine's Day with more proposals, according to multiple surveys, it's clear the romantic holiday spirit has international range. With family around and a giving spirit, it's easy to see why so many people feel moved to propose on the holiday. There's a built-in celebration and a large supply of champagne around, making it the perfect setting for a celebratory occasion. Think about it, everyone who you'd need to call to share the news with will already be sitting at your dinner table, turning your Christmas dinner into an engagement party, providing all the cheer a couple could hope for.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

A Christmas proposal was particularly apt for this couple who was excited enough about the royal engagement to spend their own Christmas waiting for a chance to see the royal couple enjoying their Christmas. And while the video clip was short, it was also revealed to the Sky News reporter that the couple plans to get married in a year and half. And lucky for them, they won't have to think of a creative or witty Instagram engagement announcement post, as their engagement has already been viewed over 50 thousand times. It's likely everyone's got the memo: Michael Metz and Ashley Millican are engaged, y'all. And he figured out a way to pop the question at the Queen's holiday house, so good luck topping that, engagement hopefuls!