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Pippa Middleton’s Fiance James Matthews: 5 Things to Know

The world’s most famous bridesmaid is finally going to be a bride — and what a catch! Pippa Middleton got engaged to her boyfriend, James Matthews, over the weekend, and they make a pretty spectacular couple.

James Matthews Pippa Middleton
James Matthews and Pippa Middleton attend day nine of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on July 06, 2016 in London, England.

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“Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr. James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday, July 17, and plan to marry next year,” the spouses-to-be said in a statement. Pippa’s older sister, Duchess Kate, and Prince William offered their congratulations. A Kensington Palace spokesperson tells Us, “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are absolutely delighted with the news.”

The pair were first linked in 2012, but got back together in late 2015 after Middleton split from financier Nico Jackson, whom she dated for three years.

Related: PHOTOS: Most Over-the-Top Celebrity Weddings

Haven’t heard much about Matthews, 40? Us Weekly rounded up five things to know about Duchess Kate Middleton’s future brother-in-law.

1. He started his own business.

The entrepreneur launched the hedge fund, Eden Rock Capital Management Group, more than a decade ago and serves as the CEO, according to the International Business Times. He named the company after the hotel he and his parents own on the posh French island St. Bart’s. His family purchased the Eden Rock – St Barths in 1995, restored several of the buildings and added new luxury villas to the property, according to the Caribbean resort’s website.

2. He’s super athletic.

He participated in a 47-mile Otillo swim-run in Sweden in September, along with Pippa and her younger brother, James. The newly engaged couple also completed the Birkebeiner 54-kilometer cross-country ski course in Norway in March.

Pippa Middleton James Matthews
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in Lillehammer, Norway, at the Birkebeiner ski race on March 19, 2016.

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3. He attended the same boarding school as Prince William and Prince Harry.

His royal connection goes even deeper than being engaged to Duchess Kate’s younger sister. Matthews attended the same all-boys boarding school, Eton College, as the two princes. The school was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, and the gentry have attended for hundreds of years.

4. His younger brother is a reality star.

James’ younger brother Spencer Matthews stars on the British reality show Made in Chelsea, which follows the lives of a group of wealthy young people living in London and their travels around the world. Spencer also competed on the reality TV game show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, in which 13 well-known people live together in a jungle. Celebs such as Janice Dickinson and Kendra Wilkinson have appeared on the U.K show, and stars including Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, Caitlyn Jenner and Tyson Beckford have participated in the U.S. version of the competition.

5. His older brother died climbing Mount Everest.

His older brother Michael Matthews became the youngest Brit to reach the top of Mount Everest at age 22 before his death during the descent. The Matthews family created the Michael Matthews Foundation to carry on his legacy and provide education to children in remote areas. Pippa has supported a number of the sporting event challenges and marathons that benefit the foundation. 

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