Most of us (who want to get married) plan on only doing so once in our lives. Which is why it can feel like a lot of pressure to get the whole thing right – especially when it comes to how we decide to pop the question.

So take note, then, from someone who planned a proposal so well that it’s making headlines.

Matthew Reville, a civil servant in London, decided to get down on one knee in the House of Commons to ask his girlfriend, Rachel Evans (also a civil servant) to marry him. And she said yes.

Taking place on Friday 9 March, the couple decided to wait a few days before posting the proposal on social media for all to see, because they are “quite private people”. 

“I told Rachel the time we’ve spent together has been the best period of my life and that I want to share the rest of my life with her,” Reville told The Evening Standard.

“We are both quite private people, so I thought I’d surprise her with a very public proposal.”

And, of course, with both of them spending the majority of their working days in Parliament, “it seemed a suitable place for the biggest event of our lives so far”.

And it was timed (almost) perfectly as Reville waited for the quietest moment of the day – though there were still a few tourists around them.

“I asked Rachel to give a tour of the House to a colleague, who was actually there to film the big moment. We couldn’t be happier.”

And people on Twitter have congratulated the pair on their engagement. 

“Truly magical! Congratulations,” one user wrote. 

“Congratulations. I hope you have many happy years together,” another user wrote. 

And that’s how it’s done. 

Images: Unsplash