A gold ring? Get your gold medal first, Dad tells Zara

But I am sorry to report that it won't be happening this summer.

Zara, 25, had told her closest friends that, after getting secretly engaged at Christmas, the couple would make an official announcement in August. But now friends say the plan has been scrapped.

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Engagement on hold: MIke and Zara

"After extensive talks with her father, Captain Mark Phillips, Zara has decided to concentrate on training for the Beijing Olympics next year," says a close friend.

"She is focusing all her efforts on bringing home the gold medal. As far as her father is concerned, her career is the most important thing.

"Zara and her dad have a turbulent relationship, but the one thing she always respects is her father's advice when it comes to her career."

Sources close to the Phillipses say it is not just Zara's equestrian commitments that are concerning her father.

"While Anne is really fond of Mike, Zara's father has his reservations," reports a friend.

"He's not convinced it's a perfect match and he has told Zara to hold off making anything official and concentrate instead on her sport.

"There is a degree of uncertainty on Mark's behalf about Mike. He finds his attitude a little too laid-back and a couple of years ago demanded that Zara rethink her choice of suitor."

Princess Anne, however, is said to adore Tindall, 28, who is due to play in the Rugby World Cup in September.

"Mike has said Zara is the love of his life and has hinted strongly that he wants to marry her after the Olympics.

"He says they already feel like a married couple and rushing it through just for the piece of paper doesn't seem worth it. They want it to be right.

"They have already started planning the wedding and Zara is keen to get plans under way as soon as her Olympic bid is over."

Watch this space.